Concern McCaw may not see out Springbok challenge

Richie McCaw

DURBAN - Influential All Blacks flanker Richie McCaw may have shaken a virus but there are genuine fears he will not last the distance against the Springboks in Saturday's Tri-Nations rugby clash in Cape Town.

Regular openside understudy Marty Holah's inclusion on the bench at Newlands is two fold, but primarily as cover in case McCaw cannot play 80 minutes after suffering a glandular virus consistent with mumps.

McCaw picked up the virus when the All Blacks assembled in Auckland last week and although he has trained consistently since the squad arrived on Friday, coach Graham Henry admitted there were doubts about his stamina.

"Richie has had this mumps virus, we wonder how much fuel is going to be in the tank there," Henry told a press conference after the 22-man squad was named.

McCaw is still expected to start the test but if he is forced off Holah was seen as the obvious candidate to continue pressuring a big but not as mobile Springbok loose trio at the breakdown.

Henry indicated Holah would have been selected ahead of Sione Lauaki regardless of McCaw's health.

The ability of George Smith and Phil Waugh to dominate on the ground, albeit in a losing effort for the Wallabies in Pretoria last weekend, did not escape the All Blacks coaching staff and if McCaw is fit enough, Henry said he could work in tandem with Holah after shifting to blindside or No.8.

However, if it became McCaw was struggling All Blacks forward coach Steve Hansen said he would be swiftly subbed.

"There's a lot more tests to go in this competition, there's no point flogging a dead horse," said Hansen.

"We're hoping he lasts the 80 but as a precaution we've got a quality seven on the bench."

Henry named a predictable line-up considering Dan Carter, Aaron Mauger, Leon MacDonald, Carl Hayman and McCaw all recovered from knocks that ruled them out of the third Lions test on July 2.

The only talking point was the inclusion of fullback Mils Muliaina on the left wing ahead of Joe Rokocoko after Sitiveni Sivivatu was ruled out with shoulder and calf injuries.

Henry said Muliaina got the nod due to his involvement in the Lions series.

"We think he's the right player for this game. It gives Joe a chance to come off the bench -- he hasn't played at this level this season."

Sivivatu is expected to be available for the first leg of the Bledisloe Cup next Saturday while centre Conrad Smith, who is battling the same virus as McCaw, could also come into contention after being ruled out for Saturday.

Byron Kelleher and his roommate, loosehead prop Tony Woodcock, were unable to train today after picking up a stomach bug though the halfback was expected to be back in action tomorrow.

"It seems to be a short thing," Henry said.

"Byron is apparently OK now, Woody's not quite right."

Meanwhile, Springboks coach Jake White was not surprised by the All Blacks line-up.

"With the exception of the winger position it is pretty predictable. It certainly is the best they could put out."

"They've chosen McCaw and Holah on the bench, which gives you an idea of how they rate the breakdown challenge on Saturday."

White does not release his team until tomorrow but Springboks forward coach Gert Smal made it clear Schalk Burger will be promoted from the bench to take on McCaw.

"Both are excellent players. They are immensely influential, because they can determine the flow of the match and the organisation of defence lines.

"The more you slow down your opponent's possession, the more time you create to set up your our own defence."

Joe van Niekerk will likely move back to No 8 to accommodate Burger; Juan Smith fills the other flank leaving Jacque Cronje as the casualty from the loose trio that beat the Wallabies.

Veteran loosehead Os du Randt is also expected back from a leg injury.

- NZPA