Ireland’s last chance
It sounds like some hot words have been flying around the All Blacks camp this week.
Richie McCaw may be preparing to set a world record against Ireland at Waikato Stadium tonight but it is coach Steve Hansen’s scratchy disposition that made his men sit bolt upright.
It should blow no-one’s hair back that Hansen’s mood was darkened by the All Blacks’ performance during last weekend’s 22-19 win in the second test.
Errors, apathy and a lack of respect for the conditions resulted in the All Blacks being surprisingly naive; they didn’t kick well in general play, made basic handling errors and probably should have lost to the tenacious Irish.
It is unlikely they will take things for granted again tonight. Hansen will be more than irritated if they do and media have noted the new All Blacks boss hasn’t been standoffish about barking at his soldiers at training this week.
And yesterday captain Richie McCaw confirmed as much, stating there has been an edge to his mood.
‘‘Yeah, there has been a little bit. I think with everyone really. It has been led by Steve and understandably so,’’ McCaw said.
‘‘We thought we had a good week last week but in hindsight we look back it didn’t have the same feel as the week before. What the reason for that is I am not sure.’’
A milestone awaits McCaw if his team secures a 3-0 series whitewash. He will overtake former Wallabies captain George Gregan as the most successful player in the world if they win.
Victory will bring McCaw his 94th test win in his 106th appearance, nudging him ahead of Gregan. ‘‘I don’t get too carried away with those things but it sounds good,’’ McCaw shrugged.
Ironically, if the All Blacks win, McCaw will not mark the milestone in his No 7 jersey. For the first time in his test career he will have the No 8 on his back because Crusaders team-mate Kieran Read has concussion.
McCaw has a variety of points to prove.
His handling during last weekend’s win in Christchurch was substandard; he shelled at least three passes to surrender the All Blacks’ advantage with the ball and Ireland, having learned a painful lesson as their opponents counter-attacked so gleefully in their first test win in Auckland, turned the screws in reply.
The All Blacks’ scrum was embarrassed in the second half as Ireland exposed them with their second shoves and their discipline was so bad it was almost off the dial.
Fullback Israel Dagg, who conceded a yellow card with a clumsy charge of Rob Kearney to leave his team a man short in the final crucial minutes, will know he cannot afford to repeat.
The Irish cleverly kept prodding the All Blacks, too. They tugged jerseys, kept shoving their opponents when they cleaned out from rucks and offered some verbal barbs when they sensed the likes of Ali Williams was getting riled.
Hansen will reiterate the importance of discipline but his men will also be under instructions to not be intimidated.
With Ireland chasing history, this has the ingredients for a flare-up to clear the air early on.