RUGBY/South Africa v New Zealand:RICHIE McCAW wants New Zealand to clinch the Tri-Nations title in style with victory in their remaining two games, starting with today's clash against South Africa in Johannesburg.
The All Blacks, who have claimed victory in all four of their games so far, need just a single point to ensure the Southern Hemisphere’s premier international crown is theirs.
Their form has been second to none this season as they demonstrated with victories over the Springboks and Australia twice already.
Last season they lost all three games against Peter de Villiers’s side and captain McCaw insists they can still improve further.
“I’d be pretty disappointed if we won the Tri-Nations by just getting one point over the next two games,” he said.
“I want us to play better, which means beating the Springboks this weekend, because we could not win here last year.”
All Blacks coach Graham Henry has made two changes to the starting XV that beat Australia in their last game two weeks ago with Jimmy Cowan and Ben Franks drafted in ahead of Piri Weepu and Owen Franks.
The match will be played at the FNB Stadium, where more than 90,000 fans are expected to be in attendance.
The staging of the game at the Soweto ground – more famously known as Soccer City, where the World Cup final was played – means there will be the biggest crowd at a local rugby game since 1955, when the Springboks played the British and Irish Lions at Ellis Park in front of 95,000.
McCaw continued: “These sorts of atmospheres are what Test rugby is all about.
“Hopefully the boys use that as a positive. We know we’ll have to give everything to beat them.”
The occasion is set to be a special one for opposite number John Smit, who will become the first Springbok forward and second overall – after Percy Montgomery – to play 100 Tests for his country.
McCaw paid tribute to him, saying: “To play a hundred games in the frontrow is a hell of an effort, it’s pretty phenomenal.
“I agree that emotion won’t win the Test, but this is a remarkable achievement by a remarkable player.”
SOUTH AFRICA: G Aplon; JP Pietersen,J de Jongh, J de Villiers, B Habana; M Steyn, F Hougaard; G Steenkamp, J Smit (capt), J du Plessis, F van der Merwe, V Matfield, S Burger, J Smith, P Spies.
NEW ZEALAND: M Muliaina; C Jane, C Smith, M Nonu, J Rokocoko; D Carter, J Cowan; T Woodcock, K Mealamu, B Franks, B Thorn, T Donnelly, J Kaino, R McCaw (capt), K Read.
Referee: N Owens (Wal).
