Richie McCaw believes New Zealand can build on their opening 41-10 victory over Tonga.
Skipper excited to get campaign underway
New Zealand captain Richie McCaw believes his side can build on their opening 41-10 victory over Tonga in Auckland.
The All Blacks were a class above in the first half and although Tonga raised their game after the break, the hosts were comfortable winners.
New Zealand ran in six tries with Israel Dagg (2), Richard Kahui (2), Jerome Kaino and Ma'a Nonu all crossing, while Dan Carter kicked nine points and Colin Slade added a conversion.
Kahui, Sonny Bill Williams and Kaino were all outstanding on the night despite some disjointed attacking play and an under-pressure scrum contributed to the All Blacks only winning the second 40 minutes 12-7.
But McCaw said: "It was a start, we had good patches, but in the second half we spent some time in their 22 but didn't capitalise, which is something to work on.
Excited
"Our defence was good, although it was disappointing to let them score, but we had had to defend for a while. But it's a start and that's all we can look at it as."
Despite the scrappy nature of the second period, McCaw remained unconcerned by the way Tonga came back into the match.
He said: "It can happen when you are a few points up that you can expect things to happen when you make breaks instead of being ruthless. But we created opportunities and for the most part I thought it was good stuff.
"We are excited about getting under way, it's been a long time coming and to play in front of a crowd like this is pretty cool."
