All Blacks: McCaw early danger man for Wallabies

Stirling Mortlock (second from right) stretches out with teammates during training in Auckland. Photo / Getty Images

It didn't take long. The Wallabies had barely started their first interviews in the Land of the Long White Cloud when there were references to All Black skipper Richie McCaw.

The Bledisloe Cup opener may coincide with the remarkable George Smith playing his 100th test, but it was his opposite who claimed the initial attention.

Maybe the tourists are still haunted by McCaw's influence last season when he returned from an injury layoff to lead the All Blacks to a huge form reversal and a 39-10 triumph at Eden Park.

Midfielder Berrick Barnes offered a lively chat about the Wallabies' test prospects as transplanted coach Robbie Deans works into his second season with a far more settled squad.

"We know what we are in for this time round," Barnes said.

"They might have been under some heat but we know what's coming and any team led by Richie McCaw, mate, you know what you are in for.

"You have got to turn up physically against these guys or you'll be on the end of a scoreboard which will look like last year."

There it was. The All Blacks sans McCaw were not a patch on a side led by the blueprint breakaway.

For the June internationals the All Blacks have been without their injured skipper and struggled against France and Italy. They were hampered by conditions but the absence of McCaw and other senior men bit deeper.

Barnes then moved on, emphasising that history counted for zilch tomorrow. In his best laconic lingo, he gave his spiel:

"There's a field, two goalposts 100 metres between 'em, 15 other blokes wearing a black jersey and that's the way we have got to approach it, there is no difference.

"We have got to match them physically," he added.

Barnes dipped in and out of a potpourri of subjects including his parents' visit to Suncorp Stadium to watch the Reds fall in the final State of Origin match against the Blues. The Blues had been in a better headspace and the Wallabies would have to emulate that to succeed tomorrow.

They had to settle and build pressure through a strong kicking game in the way that the All Blacks managed last year. They were not yet as fluid as they wanted to be but if they were smooth tomorrow they could stress the All Blacks.

The Wallabies might have more kicking variety but the All Blacks would have a plan and a chasing line to back up their ideas.

They respected the work of Stephen Donald. He brought a physical edge to his first five-eighths play, he attacked the line and the Wallabies inside defence would need to be in concert. He had shown his ability during the Super 14 and had performed under difficult conditions in tests.

Barnes batted away questions about the Wallabies still being distracted by the fallout from Lote Tuqiri's recent sacking.

"If our minds are elsewhere than trying to win a game of 80 minutes of footy this Saturday then ..."

Playmaker Matt Giteau carried lessons from last year's Eden Park loss. He has stored the memories, worked on solutions and urged himself to be patient to increase pressure on rivals.

And every test he played between Luke Burgess and Barnes, the more they honed their understanding of how they needed to play.

The Wallabies were like all teams in working to a structure and game plan but Deans had offered them full licence to improvise when the match changed shape with turnovers and tap penalties. The All Blacks were no different.

Eden Park, Auckland, Saturday, 7.30pm

ALL BLACKS
Mils Muliaina
Cory Jane
Conrad Smith
Ma'a Nonu
Sitiveni Sivivatu
Stephen Donald
Jimmy Cowan
Rodney So'oialo
Richie McCaw (c)
Jerome Kaino
Isaac Ross
Brad Thorn
Neemia Tialata
Andrew Hore
Tony Woodcock

AUSTRALIA
A.Ashley-Cooper
Lachie Turner
Stirling Mortlock
Berrick Barnes
Drew Mitchell
Matt Giteau
Luke Burgess
Wycliff Palu
George Smith
Richard Brown
Nathan Sharpe
James Horwill
Al Baxter
Stephen Moore
Benn Robinson

All Blacks: Keven Mealamu, Owen Franks, Jason Eaton, Kieran Read, Piri Weepu, Luke McAlister, Joe Rokocoko.

Replacements: Tatafu Polota-Nau, Ben Alexander, Dean Mumm, Phil Waugh, David Pocock, Will Genia, James O'Connor.