McCaw arrives as man with a mission

Richie McCaw

JOHANNESBURG - It was a defiant message from Richie McCaw - a blunt declaration from the All Black captain.

He did not need to say anything as he walked through Johannesburg International Airport.

His arrival with the Tri-Nations champions' advance guard told the Springboks everything they needed to know.

McCaw would lead his team this weekend in Pretoria, he was at the head of the queue of All Blacks who wanted to redress two winless years in the republic in what has been the only real blemish during Graham Henry's regime.

Even though the All Blacks claimed their seventh title with two games left in the series, they were equally resolute about dealing with any ambush in Pretoria the Springboks had planned.

The only selection proviso was that McCaw continued to recover well after the indecent pummelling he took at Eden Park.

He was still troubled by a sore neck yesterday and still had to see how it handled a serious training session.

The All Blacks did not make any comments about Lote Tuqiri's ban for his spear tackle on McCaw but there was a general feeling that they placed it in the reckless rather than premeditated category.

Privately they were more angry about Phil Waugh smashing McCaw's nose with a roundhouse thump, which they could not believe went unnoticed by the citing commissioner.

McCaw was the lead act in an initial group of 19 players, backed by assistant coaches Wayne Smith and Steve Hansen and support staff, who reached their hotel more than 24 hours after leaving Auckland.

While there was no statement from the All Blacks, it seems logical that Sunday's test side will be picked exclusively from this advance party.

Senior lock Chris Jack and Jason Eaton were both in the second wave of travellers, which hints that a new but freshened second-row pairing of Ali Williams and Greg Rawlinson will be employed.

South African-born Rawlinson has been the only member of the initial Tri-Nations squad not to have been given any game time so far but both he and new pick Sitiveni Sivivatu should crack that this weekend.

Henry indicated last week that there would be loose-forward rearrangements, but he discounted benching both McCaw and Rodney So'oialo in the same match.

If injuries allowed, Chris Masoe would be given a chance at No 8 and that scheme appears to be in place, with So'oialo in the second wave of All Blacks heading for the Republic.

Others straight on the plane after the 34-27 win against the Wallabies were Jerry Collins, Tony Woodcock, Isaia Toeava, Luke McAlister and Piri Weepu, with all but Toeava probably earmarked to start.

Should McCaw suffer an injury setback, Masoe could go to openside, Collins to No 8, with Reuben Thorne moving to the blindside.

The All Blacks beat the Springboks 52-16 the last time the sides met in Pretoria, in 2003. But, under Henry, they lost 40-26 in Johannesburg in 2004 and 22-16 in Cape Town last year.

Likely starters

All Blacks (v South Africa):

Leon MacDonald, Rico Gear Mils Muliaina, Luke McAlister, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Daniel Carter, Piri Weepu, Chris Masoe, Richie McCaw, Jerry Collins, Greg Rawlinson, Ali Williams, Greg Somerville, Anton Oliver, Tony Woodcock.