McCaw dismisses foot concerns
Sat, 08 Oct 2011 6:54p.m.
Richie McCaw talks to Colin Slade, Victor Vito and Graham Henry during the All Blacks training session at North Harbour Stadium (Photosport)
By Jim Kayes
A bullish All Blacks captain Richie McCaw has declared himself fit and ready to go against Argentina in tomorrow night's final Rugby World Cup quarter-final here at Eden Park.
All Blacks fans will be pleased to hear the team got through their final captain's run this afternoon without any of the injury dramas from last week.
“I think a bit much has been made of that to be honest. It comes and goes I’ve said it's only a niggle so it's not as though you're running around in excruciating pain,” says McCaw.
And McCaw dismissed concerns made public yesterday by Graham Henry about his ability to prepare properly for the match.
“Look I’ve done what I need to perform this week, I trained with the team yesterday and there's always times that you’ve missed the odd training here and there because of niggles.”
After 100 tests McCaw is confident he will cope. He is joined in that exclusive club by Mils Muliaina and the fullback needs to play well with Israel Dagg expected back if the All Blacks go through to the semi-finals.
And a nation's eyes will nervously be on Colin Slade as he tries to fill Dan Carter's boots.
“I'm going out there to be me. I'm not DC, I’m going to play my game and lead the team the best way I know how.”
History suggests he will be part of an All Blacks side that enjoys a decent win. Though the Pumas have pushed the All Blacks at home, they are usually cannon fodder here in New Zealand. In their last four tests here they lost by an average of 65-11.
So why should tomorrow be any different?
Conrad Smith says because it is the quarter-final of the Rugby World Cup and the tournament is unique.
“It brings out patriotism and a nationalism that you don't see in other test matches.”
But the same applies to the All Blacks who should finish comfortable winners tomorrow.
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