Ahead of New Zealand’s World Cup semi-final fixture against South Africa, All Blacks’ captain Richie McCaw has spoken to the press and described his excitement for the game. New Zealand are on the hunt for their second successive World Cup victory – a new record if they can achieve it.
Sportinglife.com reports that McCaw is looking forward to the encounter with the Springboks and claims he welcome any new scars he got so long as he helped win the game.
“It will be a brutal game, but they are the games I love, if you get the odd scar from it, that’s just part and parcel. Being in that environment, playing that opposition with that sort of intensity, is why you play the game. If we get the job done, I will take any scar that comes along with it.”
However, McCaw also claimed that South Africa won’t be push-overs and so the All Blacks will need to be at their best to overcome the Springboks.
“There is genuine desire for tomorrow to come around and get stuck in, but we realise the challenge that the Springboks are going to pose. They are going to be desperate and we’ve got to match that. It will be brutal because of that. The team that can deal with that and take the moments that are on offer will be the one that succeeds.”
New Zealand overcame France comfortably to reach the semi-finals of this year’s World Cup, but McCaw has already moved on from the game and is looking ahead to this weekend’s clash.
“The first couple of days this week were about ensuring there was a full stop, I think we have done that pretty well. Looking at the way we trained yesterday and today, the guys are in a pretty good space and understand the challenge that is coming. We are under absolutely no illusions about what is going to be in front of us tomorrow.”
When asked about the challenge that a semi-final game offers, McCaw claimed that ensuring the basics are done well is the most important thing that a team can do in a semi-final.
“It is not so much the flash stuff that is going to count, it’s being able to do the things that mean you can get across the advantage line. That doesn’t change in any game of rugby. You live or die by tomorrow, and it is about getting the fundamentals right. The subtleties of the guys who are able to put guys in space can look flash, but it is often the result of getting the basics right. We will be going in with a plan – you always do – and it’s the subtle differences that often catch them (opposition) out, rather than a miracle thing.”
The All-Black skipper claimed that although it is important for his side to go into the game with a plan, they must be versatile enough to change with the game if they hope to beat the South Africans.
“Sure, we’ve got some things up our sleeve, but you don’t go out there just thinking it is going to work. The big boys up-front getting the set-piece right, that’s a big one you have got to get right, first and foremost. If you don’t get that right, no matter what you have got up your sleeve, it isn’t going to work. The match-ups with the Springboks are some of the toughest rugby you ever play, and tomorrow will be a step up from what we have experienced, I would suggest. It’s a semi-final.”
McCaw was also highly complimentary of Schalk Burger, his opposite number, claiming he is the epitome of the physicality that the Springboks like to play with.
“Schalk Burger is a guy I have been lucky enough to play against over many years, and he is the epitome of the physicality that the Springboks bring. If I never get to do it (play against Burger) again, I wouldn’t mind making this one to remember. He is a man that I respect hugely, but I want to get one over on him.”
In preparation for their game with South Africa, the New Zealand squad were visited by Willia Apata, a soldier who earned the Victoria Cross for helping an injured comrade across a battlefield 11 years ago.
“He is a great man to have around. You talk about pressure environments, and he has been in situations with a damn sight more pressure than us. The boys enjoyed hearing his stories and his calming words.
New Zealand will be coming into their semi-final as slim favourites and so will be looking to advance into the final. However, South Africa are a top quality side and so the All Blacks will need to be at their best to beat them.
