KEY POINTS:
Rodney So'oialo has spoken of a personal challenge to emulate Richie McCaw, oblivious to his All Blacks captaincy credentials being questioned by former Springboks skipper Corne Krige.
In an apparent attempt to destabilise New Zealand ahead of the opening Tri-Nations test in Wellington on Saturday, former openside flanker Krige voiced surprise that the injured McCaw's chief breakdown role would be handled by So'oialo rather than a specialist.
He also believed South Africa would benefit from first-timer So'oialo's inexperience as a test captain.
"As far as McCaw goes, he's a massive loss from both a playing and leadership perspective. I'm not sure So'oialo commands the same respect," the tough 39-test veteran Krige told South African rugby website keo.co.za.
He reckoned the recalled Chris Masoe would have been a superior option in the All Blacks No 7 jersey.
"I thought it was just nothing talk when they were touting So'oialo as a possible openside. His best position is clearly No 8 and I don't think his strength is playing towards the ball," Krige said.
"Masoe is far more suited to the role, has experience playing there and provides you with a solid ball carrying option as well. I think the Springboks will be smiling when they see this call."
So'oialo, 28, has a reputation for doing his talking with deeds, not words.
However, he was forthright yesterday in his desire to personally fill the enormous hole left by the inspirational McCaw, both as a player and skipper.
"Having Richie missing, that's a big challenge because he's not only got the leadership quality but he's a great player," So'oialo said.
"That's going to be the biggest challenge for us, not having him around.
"I'm willing to take up that challenge."
So'oialo is a crucial figure in a raw loose forward trio, with No 8 Jerome Kaino and flanker Adam Thomson having played just six tests between them and never against the Springboks.
He believed both were ready for the physical challenge and the multi-faceted roles the All Blacks had adopted this year.
"The loosies are capable of playing any positions now," he said.
"A few years ago we used to be specialists in one area but the boys are talented enough to shift and they're looking forward to the challenge."
Kaino said 44-test veteran So'oialo had laid out early this week to how he believed the trio should operate as they were all similar players. It was a matter of not standing on each other's toes.
"We've tried to work on who's going to be the fetcher," he said.
"It's sort of different so we don't all do the same thing and try to focus too much on what Richie used to do.
"Rodney leads by example so we'll just try to follow him and play our normal games."
So'oialo's focus this week is undeniable.
He has deliberately kept himself isolated from a myriad of friends and family wishing him well as captain, and has only replied to a few of the text messages that have flooded in.
"I've just wanted to keep my mind as clear as possible," he said.
"You've got certain things that people try to say that may help me in my captaincy role but I've just got to concentrate on what I can do here with the team."
- NZPA
