Wales v New Zealand: All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw is paying little attention to personal milestones
Friday 21 November 2014 18:39, UK
Richie McCaw is focused on a team victory rather than personal milestones when he captains New Zealand for the 100th time in Tests.
The 33-year-old flanker made his debut as All Blacks skipper 10 years ago – also against Wales in Cardiff – and will be hoping to lead his side to another victory on British soil.
New Zealand worked for a 24-16 win over Scotland last weekend, following on from a battling 24-21 victory against England, and McCaw is only thinking about a fitting end to the tour.
"I am excited about playing," he said. "The milestones and all that personal stuff comes well second to the team performing.
"That's all I want, and the best way to celebrate that will be if the team go well and we have a good performance and win.
"It is our last crack for the year. Our recent performances, while they have been okay, we would like to finish off by really putting a performance together.
Satisfied
"That has been our sole focus, and if we get that right I will be satisfied. We have got to make sure we put it out there from the word go tomorrow.
"If we give Wales space and time on the ball, especially out wide, they are dangerous. It's the old story that it starts from numbers one to five, which will be a big battle in itself."
McCaw hopes to avoid a repeat of the tense encounter in 2004, which New Zealand edged 26-25 at the Millennium Stadium.
"I led a pretty young side that day and it was pretty tight towards the end of the game,” he said. “The atmosphere of this place when it is like that is unreal.
"I just remember being hugely proud to get the chance to do it and honoured, and relieved that we came away with the win.
"Ten years ago was the first time I got to play here and got to understand what playing in Cardiff is all about.
"The fact you are playing here at the Millennium Stadium in front of 75,000, that's motivation in itself. I just can't wait. They are the days you grew up to want to play in."
