McCAW WARY OF JOHNSON'S "HURT" ENGLAND
All Blacks captain Richie McCaw knows that if New Zealand are to capture their third Northern Hemisphere grand slam in as many years, they will have to defeat a wounded and intense England.
Having witnessed Martin Johnson’s determination first hand, McCaw believes that England’s forwards, in particular, will have a point to prove after last Saturday’s 42-6 defeat to South Africa.
“England will be hurting and will want to come out and get it right and show they're a good team,” said the openside flanker, the International Rugby Board’s player of the year in 2006.
“We've been in a similar situation ourselves this year. We were done by the Aussies and it was a horrible week. When you get a chance to put it right, and luckily they have a chance seven days later, that's what you have to do.
“We're expecting them to throw everything into it at Twickenham and will de desperate. We have to match that intensity or else it will be a long day.
“Their forwards are always tough and if they get some ball then the guys at the back have the pace and ability to use it. They are better than they've shown, but their opponents have been pretty good at stopping them playing.”
The 27-year-old views Tom Rees’s demotion as a shock, after the Wasps No7’s impressive display against the Boks. McCaw continued: “I'm a little bit surprised England dropped Tom Rees. He's a damn-good player.
“I'm sure England have their reasons why they dropped him but the guy who has replaced him is raring to go. I don't know too much about [Michael] Lipman but I'm sure he'll fit in pretty well.”
England manager Johnson was captain when, in 2002, the national team last defeated the All Blacks. In Wellington 13-man England slugged out a 15-13 win – and the former lock showed young McCaw what leadership was all about.
“I remember they had two players in the sin bin and Johnson was the one running the camp,” McCaw, whose side have not yet conceded a try on their tour of the Home Nations, said. “You could see watching him play in the World Cup in the final [which England won 20-17] he was in charge, doing the business himself and setting the example.
"The way he played, going out and produced the goods on the pitch, was inspirational. And he didn't seem afraid to drag other guys to come along with him. If they weren't pulling their weight he would make that known. His influence will start to come through for England now, too.
“I feel like a better captain than 12 months ago after the World Cup [where New Zealand were knocked out in the quarter-final]. Experiences make you stronger. A year down the track you learn to listen to your guts instincts. Confidence builds from there. The other key thing is to keep performing myself. That's the first thing you have to do.
“We can be proud of what we've achieved this year.”
All Blacks captain Richie McCaw knows that if New Zealand are to capture their third Northern Hemisphere grand slam in as many years, they will have to defeat a wounded and intense England.
Having witnessed Martin Johnson’s determination first hand, McCaw believes that England’s forwards, in particular, will have a point to prove after last Saturday’s 42-6 defeat to South Africa.
“England will be hurting and will want to come out and get it right and show they're a good team,” said the openside flanker, the International Rugby Board’s player of the year in 2006.
“We've been in a similar situation ourselves this year. We were done by the Aussies and it was a horrible week. When you get a chance to put it right, and luckily they have a chance seven days later, that's what you have to do.
“We're expecting them to throw everything into it at Twickenham and will de desperate. We have to match that intensity or else it will be a long day.
“Their forwards are always tough and if they get some ball then the guys at the back have the pace and ability to use it. They are better than they've shown, but their opponents have been pretty good at stopping them playing.”
The 27-year-old views Tom Rees’s demotion as a shock, after the Wasps No7’s impressive display against the Boks. McCaw continued: “I'm a little bit surprised England dropped Tom Rees. He's a damn-good player.
“I'm sure England have their reasons why they dropped him but the guy who has replaced him is raring to go. I don't know too much about [Michael] Lipman but I'm sure he'll fit in pretty well.”
England manager Johnson was captain when, in 2002, the national team last defeated the All Blacks. In Wellington 13-man England slugged out a 15-13 win – and the former lock showed young McCaw what leadership was all about.
“I remember they had two players in the sin bin and Johnson was the one running the camp,” McCaw, whose side have not yet conceded a try on their tour of the Home Nations, said. “You could see watching him play in the World Cup in the final [which England won 20-17] he was in charge, doing the business himself and setting the example.
"The way he played, going out and produced the goods on the pitch, was inspirational. And he didn't seem afraid to drag other guys to come along with him. If they weren't pulling their weight he would make that known. His influence will start to come through for England now, too.
“I feel like a better captain than 12 months ago after the World Cup [where New Zealand were knocked out in the quarter-final]. Experiences make you stronger. A year down the track you learn to listen to your guts instincts. Confidence builds from there. The other key thing is to keep performing myself. That's the first thing you have to do.
“We can be proud of what we've achieved this year.”
Labels: All Blacks, England, Martin Johnson, Richie McCaw
