McCaw backing ‘nice guy’ Parker for title

Richie McCaw says he’s got his fingers crossed for Joseph Parker in the world heavyweight unification fight with Anthony Joshua.

McCaw will be watching the fight on Sunday morning (NZT), interested to see how it unfolds at a venue he’s no stranger to.

‘‘Like most Kiwi’s I’m pretty interested in what’s going to happen this weekend with Joseph Parker and Anthony Joshua,’’ McCaw told Sky Sports UK.

‘‘I think most Kiwis will be stuck in front of their screens watching.

‘‘I have had the privilege of meeting him a couple of times ... hell of a nice guy, so softly spoken and that.’’

Rugby legend McCaw is well acquainted with the unusual fight venue.

He had undoubtedly his worst moment as an All Blacks captain at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium when they were beaten 20-18 by France in the quarter-finals of the 2007 Rugby World Cup.

But he’s had far more highs at the huge indoor arena, never losing to Wales in eight tests and having two wins there in the successful 2015 World Cup defence, including a sweet 62-13 quarterfinal revenge over the French.

McCaw felt the unbeaten Parker had a tough task in front of him in the form of Joshua who has knocked out all 20 of his opponents.

‘‘We have got our fingers crossed for him because he’s up against it.’’

McCaw, no stranger to tough time on a rugby field, seemed in awe of this sort of boxing assignment.

‘‘Going into the ring with those guys ...’’ he said, shaking his head. ‘‘But that’s what the sport’s about. Even just to get a chance to fight like that is a massive thing.’’

McCaw remembered the hype of David Tua’s unsuccessful world title fight with Lennox Lewis in 2000 as being ‘‘huge’’.