TRI-NATIONS SERIES/New Zealand v Sth Africa:NEW ZEALAND captain Richie McCaw believes success at set-pieces could determine the winner of this morning's crunch Tri-Nations clash against South Africa.
McCaw believes physicality will also be key in what should be an absorbing encounter in Hamilton. A win would move New Zealand closer to a fifth successive Tri-Nations crown while a point would be enough for the Springboks to claim the trophy.
“It starts at the set-piece and being able to win our ball and getting to the right end of the field where you can build some pressure,” said McCaw.
“We were under pressure the whole time in the last two Tests and we were trying to play from that but it made it tough.
“If we can start well that also helps.”
McCaw said the players were well aware of what was required to win the Tri-Nations but that had to be at the back of their minds.
“First and foremost we’ve got to go out and win the Test match,” he said.
Wet weather is forecast but McCaw does not believe that will be of major benefit for either side.
“When it comes to handling the 50-50 passes you might throw on a dry day, you have to hold on to them. Just little things like that,” he added.
“It still doesn’t change getting your set-piece right and playing at the right end of the field and perhaps that’s even more important on a wet day.”
McCaw also took time to praise opposing skipper John Smit, who has come under fire for his scrummaging performance in the defeat to Australia last weekend.
“He’s not done too bad really, and his team’s been going all right. I don’t think he’ll be feeling it too much,” McCaw said.
“From my experience, when you don’t have such a good day at the office you go away and work on it and sometimes come back better. So what we saw last week we realise is not just going to happen.
“We’ve got to make sure we get our own stuff in order to win our ball and try and put some pressure on them.”
Despite needing just a point to take the title, Smit insists the Springboks’ focus is on winning the game. “It’s another awesome opportunity against the greatest foe. It’s a Test match we’ll play to win. Everything else will be a sideline distraction.”
New Zealand have dominated the competition since it began in 1996, winning the series on nine occasions in the past 13 years including from 2005-08.
But Smit would love nothing more than to add the Tri-Nations trophy to a cabinet that already holds the World Cup won in 2007.
Victory would also cap off a wonderful few months for the South Africans who enjoyed a 2-1 series win against the Lions.
“It wouldn’t be about breaking their (New Zealand) monopoly it would be about us trying to get our hands on it a few more times,” said the Springboks skipper.
After last week’s loss in Brisbane, Springboks coach Peter de Villiers claimed his side was being scrutinised and penalised more heavily by referees because of their world number one status.
But Smit was quick to downplay such issues ahead of this game where Welshman Nigel Owens will be in charge.
“It’s really the hardest job on a Saturday, to referee an international of this standard,” said a diplomatic Smit.
“It’s very difficult and I don’t think we’ve ever seen a player play the perfect game, not miss a kick, not miss a throw, have a game full of good scrums, and the same can be said of referees. This week we’ll have a referee that we’ve had before and the result I don’t think will depend on how he blows. It will depend on how we rock up.”
SOUTH AFRICA: F Steyn; O Ndungane, J Fourie, J de Villiers, B Habana; M Steyn, F du Preez; T Mtawarira, B du Plessis, J Smith, B Botha, V Matfield, H Brussow, J Smith, P Spies. Replacements: C Ralepelle, J du Plessis, D Rossouw, S Burger, E Januarie, A Jacobs, R Pienaar.
NEW ZEALAND: M Muliaina; J Rokocoko, M Nonu, S Donald, S Sivivatu; D Carter, J Cowan; T Woodcock, A Hore, O Franks, B Thorn, I Ross, J Kaino, R McCaw (captain), K Read. Replacements: A de Malmanche, J Afoa, A Thomson, R Sooialo, B Leonard, I Toeava, C Jane.
Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales).
