Rugby: McCaw eager to get stuck in

Richie McCaw. Photo / Brett Phibbs

It's been a bit of a wait and All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw is eager to get stuck in when this year's Tri-Nations rugby tournament starts against South Africa in Auckland on Saturday night.

The Springboks dominated the All Blacks last year, winning all three tests between the two sides on the way to grabbing a trophy that had been in New Zealand hands since 2005.

For McCaw, the hat-trick of defeats in Bloemfontein, Durban and Hamilton haven't been forgotten.

"I guess there's a bit of a memory of last year," he said.

"We lost three in a row and the guys are pretty keen to get stuck in again. It's been a while since we've had a crack and a while to think about it."

But McCaw cautioned against getting too wrapped up in what had happened in the past and being distracted from doing the proper preparation.

"But certainly from my point of view, I've been looking to it for a while."

McCaw, along with No 8 Kieran Read and blindside flanker Jerome Kaino, will feature in a key match-up at Eden Park.

The Springboks have delayed naming their side until tomorrow to monitor the progress of injured locks Bakkies Botha and Danie Rossouw, but their loose trio looks likely to comprise Francois Louw, Pierre Spies and Schalk Burger.

While Spies and Burger's explosive qualities are well known to the All Blacks, rookie Louw showed his ability to step up to the international level when appearing in all four of the Springboks' tests last month.

Louw was replacement for the injured Heinrich Brussow, a key figure in South Africa's Tri-Nations success last year.

McCaw is looking forward to what is shaping up to be another physical battle up front.

"They're a good pack and the key is, if you allow them to get across the advantage line off set-piece and get nice, easy ball there, that's when they come into their own," he said.

"They're good players, but they're not perfect, and if you put them under pressure, you can find areas to exploit, and I'm sure they will be exactly the same."

McCaw and fullback Mils Muliaina, both with 83 caps, head a New Zealand side laden with experience.

The Tri-Nations squad first assembled late last week on Auckland's North Shore, before transferring to the central city on Sunday, and McCaw said everyone knew that the upcoming test would be a level above the three home matches against Ireland and Wales last month.

"We just have to be careful we don't play the game before Saturday," he said.

"Because we've had an extra couple of days together, we have to make sure Saturday is the day we're ready to go."

The All Blacks begin their Tri-Nations programme with two home tests against the Springboks, the second being next week in Wellington.

McCaw said being able to secure victory in both would have a significant bearing on their hopes of regaining the title.

"If you get two wins under your belt, that sets you up fairly well for the last four," he said.

"If you start off with losing two, no matter whether you're at home or whatever, it makes it pretty tough, which we found out last year."

- NZPA