Danger signals over McCaw

Richie McCaw. Herald file picture

Otago coach Wayne Graham is concerned that unless the tackle ball area is policed correctly, someone could get injured in tomorrow night's NPC semifinal against Canterbury at Jade Stadium.

When asked how his side would combat Richie McCaw, Graham responded: "He, like the referee, has to do his job.

"But I think the referee has to control the game properly.

"If he doesn't, he runs the risk of somebody getting hurt. That is the way I would put it.

"The referees know what the rules are and they have to make sure they enforce them.

"If they allow players latitude outside of the law, well, then it makes it difficult for everybody."

Graham's comments follow allegations by Auckland coach Pat Lam that referees are soft on McCaw's alleged infringing at the tackle ball area because of his reputation as one of the best flankers in world rugby.

Graham yesterday named an unchanged side from the one that lost 25-13 to Waikato last week for the semifinal.

Graham said his team's mood was upbeat.

Otago should be buoyed by their 24-19 victory over Canterbury at Carisbrook two weeks ago.

Asked if Otago could achieve some dominance in the front row, Graham was doubtful Canterbury had any weaknesses.

"We've got to be good everywhere, I think, against this side. They are a quality team."

Canterbury have made one forced change from the side that beat Auckland 27-12 in the Ranfurly Shield match last Saturday.

Prop Wyatt Crockett, who replaced an injured Greg Somerville minutes into the match, comes into the starting line-up.

The only other change to the squad comes on the reserves bench, with prop Ben Franks taking Crockett's place.

* Jade Stadium, 7.35pm tomorrow

Canterbury

Ben Blair
Scott Hamilton
Casey Laulala
Aaron Mauger
Caleb Ralph
Daniel Carter
Andrew Ellis
Mose Tuiali'i
Richie McCaw
Reuben Thorne (c)
Kevin O'Neill
Chris Jack
C Johnstone
Corey Flynn
Wyatt Crockett

Otago

Craig Clare
Glen Horton
Neil Brew
Seilala Mapusua
Matt Saunders
Nick Evans
Chris Smylie
Grant Webb
Josh Blackie
Craig Newby (c)
James Ryan
Tom Donnelly
Carl Hayman
Anton Oliver
Chris King

Reserves:

Canterbury: Steven Yates, Vilimoni Delasau, Jamie Nutbrown, Johnny Leo'o, Hayden Hopgood, Ben Franks, Tone Kopelani.

Otago: Jason Macdonald, Grant Polson, Filipo Levi, Alando Soakai, Toby Morland, Ryan Bambry, Jason Shoemark.

- NZPA