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The All Blacks certainly don’t need any extra motivation as they prepare for next week’s Bledisloe Cup opener against the Wallabies in Sydney.
Not only will the Kiwis be looking to continue their 11 year hold on the trophy but the long awaited contest offers the chance to complete a record 18th successive Test victory.
With Australian rugby desperate to regain some ascendancy over the New Zealanders, it seems unwise to hear our own camp questioning whether All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw is approaching his used by date.
But there on Fox Sport’s Rugby HQ last night viewers heard panellists and ex-Wallabies Nathan Sharpe, Greg Martin and Tim Horan raise questions about McCaw’s long term future and his current impact at the top level.
Sharpe suggested McCaw’s impact on the game at the moment “isn’t as great as it once was”.
Martin said McCaw had “slowed down” while Horan wondered if McCaw and fellow All Blacks great Dan Carter might be “bench players” at the next World Cup in England late in 2015.
Martin also chimed in with the comment that referees now had “the guts” to penalise McCaw following his indiscretion which cost the Crusaders victory in last weekend’s Super Rugby final against the NSW Waratahs.
Coupled with the video played on Rugby HQ of McCaw being brushed off trying to tackle fellow no. 7 and Wallabies skipper Michael Hooper in the same game, there’s plenty of fodder to stir up our friends from across the ditch.
Saturday week’s ANZ Stadium series opener is one of the most important games for Australian rugby since the 2003 World Cup final.
The Wallabies won’t be helped by any premature chest beating from this side of the Tasman.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.