By Greg Stutchbury
AUCKLAND, June 8 (Reuters) – New Zealand’s World Cup victory
last year is now in the history books but the All Blacks are
focused on getting even better as they look to build towards the
defence of the title in 2015, according to captain Richie McCaw.
The All Blacks won their second Webb Ellis trophy at Eden
Park last October and return to the scene of the triumph for the
first time on Saturday (0735 GMT) in the opening game of a
three-test series against Ireland.
“From the experiences we have been through last year, you
just have to use them to your advantage,” McCaw told reporters
on Friday. “If we’re not trying to be better then we may as well
do something else and that is the attitude I am seeing.
“Those guys (who won the World Cup) are loving being back
here and want to be better at it, and tomorrow is the best place
to start.”
The All Blacks also start a under new regime on Saturday
with Steve Hansen moving into the hot seat as head coach, and
while the former policeman had brought new ideas to the side,
McCaw said the structures were still similar to when he was
Graham Henry’s assistant.
“He has got a slightly different way of doing things, but a
lot is the same and I think that has made it easy to get it
going this week,” McCaw said.
“A lot of the structures have been tried through a few years
and refined and are fairly similar now.
“The great thing about Steve is that he allows, especially
the senior boys, he puts the onus on us to drive the bus. That
has always been his strength.”
Continued…
