Tri-Nations - McCaw backs Henry shake-up

Eurosport - Fri, 18 Sep 09:54:00 2009

The radical shakeup of New Zealand's starting line-up for Saturday's Tri-Nations clash with Australia emphasises that poor performances can no longer be tolerated, captain Richie McCaw said.

Richie McCaw - New Zealand - 0

Last Saturday's 32-29 defeat to South Africa in Hamilton not only assured the world champion Springboks of a first Tri-Nations title since 2004 but appeared to finally break the resolve of New Zealand's coaching staff.

All Blacks coach Graham Henry wielded the axe on Wednesday when he dropped five players and made two positional changes for Saturday's match at Westpac Stadium, where the loser will face the ignominy of receiving the tournament's wooden spoon.

"It sends a good message that if the team doesn't perform there are consequences," McCaw told reporters in Wellington. "That's what has happened this week.

"I guess this year with injuries and stuff it has made it a little bit harder to do that but it has got to the point where that has obviously changed."

McCaw said there had been a noticeable increase in intensity in training this week, with players anxious to atone for the error-laden performance at Waikato Stadium.

"There has been a bit of an edge this week," McCaw said. "It was said on Monday that not everyone was assured of just rolling on again so I think that's good and the guys that are coming in get a chance and I think that's good. The big thing is to not dwell on last week. You can't let that get on top of you."

Australia, however, will focus on ensuring they do not let New Zealand back in the game if they forge ahead after holding narrow leads in their past four tests against the All Blacks only to come up short.

The All Blacks won the match in Brisbane last September 28-24 after being 10-points down just after halftime, then kept the Australians scoreless in the second half in Hong Kong last November before running out 19-14 victors.

This season, the Wallabies held a lead in Auckland in July only to lose 22-16, while the All Blacks overcame a nine-point halftime deficit to win last month's match in Sydney 19-18 after a last-gasp Daniel Carter penalty.

"If we're going to win this one, we have to work a hell of a lot harder," Wallaby blindside flanker Rocky Elsom told reporters. "Over the years, the All Blacks have been pretty good at getting away with games.

"It's often very small things that happen. We know that because it's happened to us a lot, where we've come close but not been able to finish it off."

Elsom said he felt the Wallabies' 21-6 victory over South Africa two weeks ago in Brisbane might just give his young team mates the belief to finish off test matches.

"The ability to keep at it, keep working and not have any lapses was a real positive out of that match," he said.

"There were a lot of good things that happened in Brisbane. We managed to get over the top of them as the game went on. That was a real positive but... it's going to be a new challenge against New Zealand and they've got a point to prove."

Reuters

Comment 1 - 6 of 6

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  1. What line outs ? The All-Blacks have been lacking at­ that for years and now the theft of the ball at the­ breakdowns is making it impossible to have clean phase­ ball.Don't get me wrong I'll stand behind them­ till the end but the lack of spark in the backs and the­ mistakes shut themselve down.

    From scott, on Thu 17 Sep 7:35PM

  2. 3 years to go almost to the day...clock is ticking for­ the World Cup.
    Plenty of time to get it right, just­ would be nice to see it heading in a direction of­ learning from your mistakes, doesn't seem to be the­ case-Continually player guys out of there position,­ Sticking with reputation rather than form,Not offering­ any changes at lineout time or opposing the throw.
    The­ Game has envolved again, unless we do we are fighting a­ losing battle-The players ARE in New Zealand, just need­ to be guided through in the right direction.

    Come on­ All Blacks!

    From Joe, on Thu 17 Sep 4:42PM

  3. Carter had a bad game- fair enough.... but he is still­ the best 10 in the world, dont knock him for one­ performance. He will make any team in the world with­ his eyes closed, after all he practically one the game­ for the all blacks when they played the Aussies.­ Agreed, they shouldnt drop Isaac Ross.

    From superchief3, on Thu 17 Sep 4:06PM

  4. Mcallister was concussed in the wallabies test, so hes­ not in consideration.
    unfortunately, carter doesnt win­ lineout ball, scrummage or win turnovers at the­ breakdown, which is where the problems are. dan carter­ is the polish on the furniture. counts for nowt when­ the furniture has woodworm tho

    From moggie2727, on Thu 17 Sep 2:41PM

  5. Daniel Carter was @#$%, he should go. Perhaps they­ should try Luke Mcalister . Victor Matfield was a nu­ sense in the line outs.

    From Freddie, on Thu 17 Sep 2:29PM

  6. why the hell did they drop isaac ross???
    he was doing­ pretty well! it's the hookers that
    are the­ problems in the lineouts. keven mealamu
    stuffed up the­ last gasp line out in one game
    before he got injured.­ and also andrew hore. they
    should at least letaled de­ malmanche have a go at
    @#$%. he did really well in the­ super 14. even
    better than the veteran hookers. i­ would laugh if the
    lineouts still dont work with tom­ donelly. hope the
    coaches realise its hore and­ mealamu. and john afoa
    hasnt played much either.­ jerome kaino or adam thomson.
    either would do. putting­ back liam messam would give
    a boost to the line outs­ and speed of the forwards.
    im sure he's learned­ his lesson. but my main point is,
    its the hookers that­ are the BIG problem in the lineouts a
    nd inconsistency­ in catching the ball.

    From gab c, on Thu 17 Sep 12:21PM
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