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McCaw: Boks will be more physical

A more physical approach from South Africa is being anticipated by the All Blacks ahead of Saturday night's second Tri Nations Test, at Westpac Stadium in Wellington.

Saturday, 17 July 2010

Sportal.co.nz

A more physical approach from South Africa is being anticipated by the All Blacks ahead of Saturday night's second Tri Nations Test, at Westpac Stadium in Wellington.

All Blacks captain Richie McCaw said that was no real surprise because the South Africans said after their 12-32 defeat last weekend that they hadn't played with the physicality they wanted in the game.

"We've got to make sure we match that but they'll be a better team," he said.

"They didn't get the chance to put on the pressure they have done in the past so I'm sure they'll be looking to do that but we've got to make sure we don't allow that to happen."

McCaw was anticipating there would also be some changes in the South African approach and the New Zealanders had prepared for that. They would also be looking to utilise what had worked for them in the past.

The key for the home team was to be ready for whatever was thrown at it.

The intention was still to try and gain quick ball to play the way they wanted and McCaw said the All Blacks had a few things up their sleeves to try if the chance arose.

"Holding onto the ball, looking after it, getting nice, quick ball, getting the set piece right – that's the simple things but you've got to do that every week if you are going to perform," he said.

The challenge for the side was to back up on last week's performance and that was an internal pressure for the players.

McCaw said he couldn't wait for the match and he felt the desire to achieve consistency was a powerful motivation across the side.

The lineout would again be an important component after the All Blacks stole a march on the vaunted South African strong point and McCaw was expecting Victor Matfield, regarded as the best lineout exponent in the world, to have been working hard on rectifying last weekend's faults.

"We've put a lot more work in this week again and a few different things up our sleeve. The big thing is it's [the lineout] is a confidence thing and we've seen that in the past where we've been under pressure at the start and sometimes you start doing things wrong. It would be nice to be able to do it again," he said.

McCaw was confident referee Alain Rolland would be up to song with the revised law interpretations and said all referees in his experience were keen to see games flow and with the interpretation changes that was more the case.

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