McCaw is ever crisp: “We’re going to have a good crack at it”.
Advertisement
Not only did the All Blacks retain the Bledisloe Cup, contested annually between the trans-Tasman rivals, but they also kept alive their formidable record at Eden Park where they have won 34 consecutive Tests since 1994.
On Saturday the All Blacks will try to bounce back from a first loss to Australia for four years when they meet in the Bledisloe Cup decider in Auckland.
Despite their humbling by their Wallabies, the All Blacks appeared united here by the conviction that they would not permit a repeat.
Redemption, bravery, and triumph?
The Australian pivot rates among the top playmakers in the world but he was not at his best in his Super Rugby appearances this year and has been rattled in previous Tests in New Zealand. His body is on the line and he somehow keeps going.
Speed typically features in Eden Park games.
Slings and arrows? The more dominant he’s become, the more pointed are some criticisms.
“I’m certainly proud I can still foot it after all these years and be good enough to be in the team”, McCaw said, playing down the many milestones in his career. He’s even had what amounts to a cartoon villain on his hammer in the eerily ice blue-eyed persona of Quade Cooper.
“Richie is a great leader, he has the charisma that makes players want to follow him and play for him”, said Crowley.
“There could be a bit of interest from New Zealand Super teams too”. He was really only noticed on the field. “Success or failure can be measured in microseconds”, as McCaw put it in his autobiography “The Open Side”. “I think he’ll be one of the greats”.
“I’m not used to coming on and bringing a bit of spark because usually I always consider myself the conservative-type player”.
Boosts don’t get much concentrated and the All Blacks kicked into gear, their 13-6 halftime lead threatening to grow.
Meanwhile, the All Blacks will take on the Wallabies at 7.35pm. “Last week we were on the receiving end of it, but in true style of what it means to be an All Black we [regrouped] to put a performance together”.
By necessity, McCaw had to lead the way.
Wycliff Palu and Will Skelton, who he started with to counter the All Blacks’ onslaught, were replaced by the more mobile David Pocock and Dean Mumm. This time McCaw and co. often shunted the Wallabies backwards.
The Queanbeyan product said that desperation epitomised the will of the team and the game swung from there.
Ma’a Nonu in the midfield was nothing less than sensational.
The Test came alive as Dan Carter turns back the clock and cuts through the line to set up Dane Coles for a footrace to the line.
Fellow All Black Victor Vito knows about the rigours involved with operating in the loose forwards, but he’s not surprised at McCaw’s endurance. Vito has huge skills, as befits an outstanding sevens player, but on Saturday night there was brutal power as well as finesse.
Advertisement
The first was a penalty try after a high tackle by Wallabies first five-eighth Quade Cooper, who was yellow-carded for the challenge on halfback Aaron Smith.
