As the World Cup looms, Richie McCaw reckons his men are ready to make history and defend their title.
Three months out from the Rugby World Cup, All Black captain Richie McCaw believes his men can make history and defend their world title.
McCaw is a man on a mission. Having captained the All Blacks to one World Cup title, he is now as intensely focused as he wasfour years ago to do it all again.
The 34-year-old says his goal during the next four months is to finish his career by playing at the same impeccable standards he always has.
And although McCaw, who is widely expected to retire after the tournament, says he won't be getting caught up in any prolonged goodbyes or reminiscing about his career, he wants to make the most of his remaining time.
And he certainly likes what he has seen of this year's All Blacks, who had a three-day training camp in Auckland this week.
"I really do," he says when he's asked whether he thinks this All Black side can achieve all that they want. "We have gone over a few little things that we are going to add to our game and how we are going to get better.
"You can see the level of detail and everyone is really excited about it. You look around the room and there are obviously more players to come back in, but there are some pretty talented individuals. So if we get the right ball in the right spots and play the way we have designed to do, then it will be bloody exciting. If we can get that right, we are going to put teams under a hell of a lot of pressure."
Richie McCaw aims to finish his career by playing at the same impeccable standards he always has. Photo / Getty Images
The All Blacks go to England in September as defending champions - but they have never won a World Cup on foreign soil, and no team has successfully defended the title.
They are relentless in their quest to improve, none more so than McCaw.
"I think it is the same for the other guys who are coming to the end that you want to finish off well," he said.
"You don't want to peter out. I know that is a real driver for me. I want to be performing at my best and be the best out on the field. Then it takes away the pure winning and losing.
"If we aim to be better and give ourselves a chance, that's the bit that drives me and the bit that I think drives the team. It takes away that one thing at the end, which is bloody important but it takes it back to the process and preparation.
"You have got to remember there is at least half the team or more who haven't been to a World Cup. So their excitement to try to get a piece of what we experienced is high.
"For us who have, we have to have the same sort of desire."
Looking lean and super fit, McCaw will return to Auckland next week to prepare for the historic test against Samoa in Apia determined to ignore the fact this is likely to be his last four months as an All Black.
"I don't want to get caught up in that," he said. "The big thing about making decisions now is that you can start winding down and thinking this is the end of that, this is the end of this.
"Leading up to the World Cup and then at the World Cup, I just want for it to be like any other year - to be really determined, to make sure you are at the peak of fitness, that you are working on your skills. Even if there is an end point, you want to be doing it right to the end. We try not to let it be all about this being the last time.
"I think that would be unhealthy and that is a subconscious thing."
McCaw is also going to feel a little like a pilgrim in a savage land.
Last year when the All Blacks played at Twickenham, his every act was jeered. McCaw smiles, only fleetingly, at the memory. "I guess I understand it. I know that's the way it is," he says of his position as the man so many outside New Zealand want to hate.
And come October 31, if the All Blacks are in the Rugby World Cup final at Twickenham, the experience may prove vital.
