McCaw so proud of Scots heritage

But All Blacks ace will cast aside his family roots tonight

AS he stood pitchside at BT Murrayfield yesterday, Ri c hi e McCaw s poke passionately of his love for Scotland and his Highland heritage. Yet, come this evening, the only thing on his mind will be inflicting more pain on the country of his forefathers.

McCaw is, first and foremost, a proud New Zealander, although he has never forgotten his family’s roots.

Even the inclement weather in Edinburgh yesterday didn’t put off the All Blacks captain — who spent Wednesday immersing himself in another Scottish tradition as he played golf at Gullane with former Open champion Sandy Lyle — from extolling the virtues of his second ‘home’.

Perhaps if the hosts weren’t quite so accommodating — he has won six-out-of-six against the Scots — the 2011 World Cup-winning captain might not be as effusive in his praise.

‘I always love coming to Scotland as both sides of my family come from these parts so it is always pretty special,’ said McCaw, who is also an accomplished piper. ‘As a young fella, Scotland was always a long way away, but to come here a few times already and be here again is great.

‘My second Test was at Murrayfield and returning is always pretty cool. Both my parents can trace the family tree back to Scotland, so this is always a special place for our family.

‘I am here, though, to win a Test match against Scotland which won’t be easy. Their confidence will be high after they beat Argentina and up front they have older heads, especially in their front five.

‘They got stuck in last week and got some good ball so it will be a good challenge for us. Our job is to put pressure on them so they can’t give their guys in the backline the ball.

‘I know we have never lost to them in the past but you can’t take anything for granted. Regardless of what t he scorelines have been previously, it has always been tough and the front-five battle very keen. We have to play decent rugby at Murrayfield to win.’

McCaw isn’t one of those expats who just likes the idea of having Scottish links. His family can trace their heritage back to his great- greatgrandfather who set up home in New Zealand in the 19th Century.

Alexander McCaw emigrated from the Scottish Borders in 1893, settling in the Hakataramea Valley i n 1895. His grandson, James Hugh McCaw, known as ‘ Black Mac’, joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force in 1941 and became a war hero, flying over 300 missions.

The remarkable pilot would later marry and raise three boys, the second

I love Scotland and it’s always a special place for my family

of whom, Donald McCaw, is the father of Richie, who was born in 1980.

The Kiwi skipper has never forgotten his Scottish roots and even played the bagpipes at his sister’s wedding.

Back to here and now, and the man who cites Braveheart as one of his all- time favourite films, goes i nto today’s game in the unfamiliar position of six rather than seven.

The change from openside to blindside flanker is being done for experimental reasons by New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen, who wants to check out his options in case his captain is hit by injury.

Overall, the Kiwis have made 13 changes to their starting line-up from last weekend’s triumph over England, but McCaw is confident that won’t lessen his side’s chances of keeping up their 100-per-cent record over the Scots.

If he is worried, he certainly wasn’t showing it yesterday as he made it clear he had faith in the new boys coming into the side, such as hooker James Parsons, who will be making his All Blacks debut.

‘The guys who have been given their chance are pretty excited and I expect them to perform to a high standard,’ said McCaw. ‘Some have been waiting a while and want to show what they can do.

‘The World Cup is a year away and yes, these guys will want to be involved in that, but just now they will want to play well enough to put their hands up for selection in our next game.

‘That is the same for all of us as we can’t look far ahead. Our only focus just now is beating Scotland.

‘ On a personal l evel, I am not approaching this game any differently. I have played six off the bench but never started in this position.

‘Despite that, I am aware of those little changes I have to make by being in a different position, so I won’t approach things that much different.

‘I am just excited about having a crack at six.’