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Richie McCaw
Captain Richie McCaw vows the All Blacks won't be bullied
by a fired-up French side as they brace for plenty of early
niggle in tomorrow's much-awaited rugby test in Marseille.
The opening exchanges promise to be electric before a sellout
crowd of 60,000 at Stade Velodrome, with France protecting a
record of just one defeat from nine tests here and the All
Blacks desperate to finish their five-test tour on a high and
regain the Dave Gallaher Trophy.
McCaw said his full-strength side had spoken of keeping their
discipline in the face of any foul play, and were ready for
anything when the test kicks off at 8.45am (NZT).
"I think so, there's no doubt. It's not a big issue but we've
got to physically stand up, you can't afford to be bullied
around. I know the guys are pretty aware of that," McCaw
said.
"Last week we came up against England who were desperate.
You've got to give it straight back and against this team
it's going to be especially important."
France, coached by Marc Lievremont, flew into Marseille today
after a week preparing at their training base outside Paris.
They're on a roll after a 20-13 win over South Africa, who
beat the All Blacks three times in the Tri-Nations, then a
stroll against Samoa.
The All Blacks have slowly built into the week after a
marathon season and a torrid physical clash with England,
which they won 19-6 and recalled Neemia Tialata, Jerome Kaino
and Cory Jane to their side.
"We don't want to have any excuses, we want to make sure we
finish off as best we can. That's what we've been telling the
boys this week, and everyone's pretty keen on that," McCaw
said.
"We never do (back down), that's the way the guys are, we
confront everything."
McCaw recalled how the All Blacks were dominated physically
in Dunedin, their 22-27 defeat to France in June when the
skipper was absent injured along with Dan Carter.
The message would be the same before their fifth consecutive
packed house of the tour: start well and try to take the
deafening home crowd out of play.
While they accounted for Wales, Italy and England, they
couldn't kick away and the home crowd remained in full voice
until fulltime.
"You've got to start well, there's no doubt about that. If
you do that it can quieten down the crowd. It's always the
plan. I don't think we quite did that in Italy.
"A team like the French, you can't allow them to get a start
which is perhaps what we did in Dunedin. They're a pretty
hard team to get under control."
Most All Blacks have predicted a tight test match which could
hinge on a moment of magic.
McCaw will lead the crucial battle for breakdown possession
alongside Kaino and Kieran Read, against a competitive French
trio led by captain Thierry Dusautoir.
The New Zealand skipper admitted a 14-test year was too long
for the All Blacks, who began Super 14-preseason matches in
January, but with money doing the talking their complaints
appeared fruitless.
He was uncertain whether the test would define a shaky All
Blacks season, but a convincing win would certainly lead into
the one-year countdown for the World Cup on a much-needed
high.
"It's the one you remember over the summer. I guess everyone
will talk about it if we have a good performance."
