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BRISBANE - It's the eternal question but one not easily answered: how to nullify Richie McCaw?
The All Blacks captain and openside flanker is feted in Australia almost more than in New Zealand for his matchwinning qualities as he prepares to lead them into tomorrow's Tri-Nations decider here.
He returned from injury to inspire the All Blacks to victory in Auckland last month to turn around an embarrassing Bledisloe Cup loss in Sydney, then had what coach Graham Henry rated his best game in a black jersey in the 19-0 win over South Africa in Cape Town.
It leaves Wallabies coach Robbie Deans, who's worked with McCaw the most of any coach, to keep trying to find ways to minimise his impact as the All Blacks look to secure the Tri-Nations and Bledisloe Cup in one hit.
The Deans theory was simple, imparted by one of the cerebral of props, Wallaby Al Baxter.
I think a lot about it is taking the space. He thrives on getting in there and being a presence at the breakdown," Baxter said.
"If you take that space away from him, he can't physically get in there to cause the damage he's done. A lot of it this weekend is making sure we take that space and get in that space first.
Another past theory has been to run at McCaw and take him out of play in a ruck, but Baxter said even the cleverest plans weren't guaranteed success.
I think Robbie gives good insights into what is effective against him because Richie's played under him for probably close to 100 games and so Robbie would know what has been effective against Richie and what hasnt been.
"So I think thats probably the insights we get, but Richie is a great player in his own right and despite all those coach's insights, you still have to actually do it on the field.
All Blacks attack coach Wayne Smith kept the McCaw superlatives flowing from the New Zealand camp.
The captain will play his 65th test, equal to teammates Greg Somerville and Mile Muliaina in equal seventh on the All Blacks test caps list. McCaw has won 57 of his 64 tests, an impressive win percentage of 89.
He acknowledged the tough task for coaches to quell McCaw's presence.
"He's a hell of an influential player and I guess they'll be trying bloody hard to nullfiy him. He's a good player and it's easier said than done," Smith said.
"He's our leader and I feel he's really stepped up a notch this year in terms of his leadership. He's getting even better. He's a great player, possibly the world's great player at the moment.
"But one man doesn't win a game and he's pivotal to us obviously. Others have got to do their jobs and support him, and we know he'll be leading by example, giving it everything and shedding blood for the team and we need to make sure others are at that level with him."
- NZPA
