KEY POINTS:
All Blacks rugby coach Graham Henry raised the bar even higher for his captain Richie McCaw today, saying he'd never played better in black than last month in Cape Town.
It was lofty praise indeed as McCaw returns to the scene of one of his greatest test performances for Saturday's Tri-Nations decider against the Wallabies, cleared to lead the All Blacks after rib injury issues.
McCaw, lock Brad Thorn (hamstring) and wing Sitiveni Sivivatu (ankle) were all cleared to start after being rested for last week's 100-point romp over Samoa.
It meant the same All Blacks starting 15 for three consecutive Tri-Nations tests, after the 19-0 win over the Springboks in Cape Town and the 39-10 dispatch of the Wallabies in Auckland.
The constant in those two victories - which revived a jittery All Blacks Tri-Nations campaign - was McCaw, and Henry was all too happy to reach for the Thesaurus again.
"He's been colossal, in a word. He came in with no rugby for a month against the Australians in Auckland and I thought he was pretty special," Henry said.
"Then he upped that performance in Cape Town where he probably played his best game as an All Black.
"He might debate that, but I thought he was outstanding and his leadership was equal to his playing ability. His influence on his group is colossal."
There were similar adjectives being used by Henry two years ago after the All Blacks' previous test here, a brutal 13-9 win.
Henry said his skipper "couldn't play any better" after a performance which included a vital trysaving tackle and turnover on Wallabies winger Mark Gerrard.
Today's Daily Telegraph newspaper headlined a page "In awe of McCaw," and highlighted his immense influence on the All Blacks' success, including his win rate of 57 from 64, or 89 per cent.
Opposition coach Robbie Deans knows that all too well.
"He is hugely influential, not only on the game but on people around him. he is the most obvious point of difference between when the All Blacks have thrived and when they haven't."
McCaw's return pushed flanker Adam Thomson back to the bench, where his versatility and lineout ability saw Sione Lauaki omitted from the squad. Isaia Toeava's ability to cover most backline spots saw Rudi Wulf miss out.
The only headache for Henry was bench prop John Afoa, who had a niggly injury and was bracketed with Neemia Tialata.
The All Blacks trained in fine, warm weather in Brisbane today and Henry said they were itching to take the field after nearly a month since their South African win.
Since then the Wallabies won in Durban then suffered a record 53-8 hiding in Johannesburg, a defeat Henry admitted wasn't ideal for the All Blacks.
"I don't think it does us any favours at all. They'll be hugely disappointed with their performance and it'll give them more edge and more attitude," he said.
"We don't really need that, it's a pity it's happened.
"It was always going to be a big game, a decider, and they've got the advantage of coming off a big loss."
Henry noted the All Blacks' recent struggles in Australia, namely the 19-34 loss in Sydney in July and the last-gasp defeat in Melbourne last year.
If there was any complacency, the All Blacks need only cast their minds back to Sydney, Henry said.
"This series has shown that sides have come off losses repeatedly, losses which they haven't been proud of, and got up the next game.
"It's a reflection on the quality of the rugby, quality of the sides and how attitude plays a huge part in the result of the game."
Forwards:
1. Tony Woodcock
2. Andrew Hore
3. Greg Somerville
4. Brad Thorn
5. Ali Willliams
6. Jerome Kaino
7. Richie McCaw (c)
8. Rodney So'oialo
Backs
9. Jimmy Cowan
10. Dan Carter
11. Sitiveni Sivivatu
12. Ma'a Nonu
13. Conrad Smith
14. Richard Kahui
15. Mils Muliaina
Reserves:
16. Keven Mealamu
17. John Afoa/ Neemia Tialata
18. Anthony Boric
19. Adam Thomson
20. Piri Weepu
21. Stephen Donald
22. Isaia Toeava
- NZPA, NZHERALD STAFF
