http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/opinion/2780824/Things-to-admire-about-the-All-Blacks
By DUNCAN JOHNSTONE - Stuff.co.nz
24/08/2009
OPINION: It wasn't always pretty but it was pretty damn important. Here are some things I liked about the All Blacks' one point win over Australia.
The Bledisloe Cup, of course. It's the seventh straight year the All Blacks have won it and outside of that elusive World Cup it's the trophy we cherish most. These four-match series are loaded in favour of the holders but we'll take it, thank you very much.
True grit. Given that Graham Henry's side was staring at a third consecutive loss - even with just a few minutes left - this was always going to be a win-at-all-costs, win-it-anyway-you-can affair for New Zealand. Guts and determination were the basis of this victory along with some more sensible tactics.
Composure. The All Blacks kept their cool and kept plugging away even as they were frustrated by referee Jonathan Kaplan, their own frequent errors and a resilient Wallabies side. The heads never went down. They made sure they got to the right end of the paddock to apply the pressure when necessary and sealed the deal right at the end in a way that some recent Wallabies teams have nailed New Zealand over the last decade.
The emotion. Some better singing of the national anthem emerged in front of 80,000 people in Sydney and wasn't it great to see the joy at the final whistle. This win clearly meant a lot to these All Blacks and good on them for showing their joy and letting off their steam a bit afterwards as they supped the winner's spoils from the biggest beer mug in world rugby.
Dan Carter. Yes, our match-winner is back. The guy is sheer class, coming through a cauldron on the back of less than a handful of games at a distinctly lower level than what he encountered at ANZ Stadium. He even had the cheek to shrug off his missed dropped goal with a laugh and then nail a difficult penalty to win the game. The side looks better for his navigation skills.
Stephen Donald. The guy has had a tough time in the absence of Carter but let's not forget he was there, mostly at No 10, in the final quarter. It's great to see the coaches haven't given up on the investment they have made in Donald. Just as he did in Brisbane last year, he got the business done again against the Wallabies, comfortable with the man at his shoulder.
The set pieces. There's no greater sight to a front row than seeing an opposition prop - especially the anchor tighthead - snubbed off after 31 minutes. Job done, then and there really. Al Baxter got cleaned out by Tony Woodcock, a guy some clown of a former Wallaby labelled a myth not so long ago. The dominant scrum was backed up by parity in the lineout and given the recent struggles in this department that was good enough. It was also sensible to see them going to No 2 for the money ball, especially early on. Kieran Read provided a solid option alongside the locks.
Defence. OK the All Blacks only scored one try but they didn't concede any. This is a tight championship and the defensive systems are dominating. Hats off to Jimmy Cowan for his desperate lowering of big Nathan Sharpe with the Wallabies lock sniffing a touchdown. But there were some brutal hits all round. Now Henry and Wayne Smith just need to get the attack operating to the same high standards
Sitiveni Sivivatu. The guy was well off his game in South Africa but he bounced back in Sydney to be a constant menace down the left wing. It wasn't only there either - he frequently turned up at first receiver, playing like a No 10 late in the match to confuse the Aussie defence. And what a sweet move and pass to set up the only try.
Defusing the bombs. The All Blacks' work under the high ball in South Africa resembled that of 10-year-olds. Not so in Sydney where they showed considerable accuracy as they were frequently tested. The back three did a good job and will take confidence in this key aspect as they get set to face another aerial assault from the Springboks in Hamilton.
The physicality. It's fair to say the Boks outmuscled the All Blacks at times. The big boys got their mojos back for the Bledisloe. There was far more urgency at the breakdowns and the tackling was an offensive weapon at times. When big bad Brad Thorne says he's absolutely knackered at the end of a game you know the hard yards have been put in where they matter most.
The kicking. Good to see the side playing some percentage rugby again rather than the willy-nilly running from behind their own posts that got them into so much trouble in Durban. Carter and Luke McAlister got the All Blacks into the right areas of the field to have a go. Ma'a Nonu needs to get some urgent practice in over the next three weeks. But it wasn't all kicking and with the Wallabies entering into a similar spirit there was enough attempted turning to entertain the crowd while the tight nature of the match made it compelling viewing right to the end.
So there you are - no shortage of things to admire from the All Blacks who have got their struggling campaign back on track. One win doesn't make a season but when it involves winning the Bledisloe Cup it's a victory that should certainly be cherished.
As pleasing as it was in many areas though, the All Blacks were sensible enough in the wake of their celebrations to admit it was far from perfect. They still need to back up their heart and determination with far more precision to get back to the sort of levels they were operating at by the end of last year.
But this was a big step in the right direction and if the battered Wallabies can somehow hold out the rampant Springboks in Australia over the next two weeks, Hamilton could be set for a real humdinger.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
It's blood, sweat and (Wallaby) tears
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/opinion/2779076/Its-blood-sweat-and-Wallaby-tears
By TAINE RANDELL - Sunday News
23/08/2009
OPINION: What a huge victory for the All Blacks.
And in Australia, too.
The fact that last night's one-point win over the Wallabies came in Sydney cannot be belittled.
The biggest city in Australia has traditionally been a hard stomping ground for the Men in Black, up until last night, that is.
While this was not a game of flashy, open rugby with an emphasis on each side's running game, it was still an enthralling contest.
These two teams gave it their absolute all and that test was as intense as test rugby gets.
For me, the stars were the All Blacks forwards who were crucial in turning around a halftime deficit.
In particular, Tony Woodcock, who was brilliant up front, Andrew Hore for his tight and loose efforts and Kieran Read were impressive.
The New Zealand lineout was also crucial in this success.
Despite the fact the Wallabies had a 12-3 lead at halftime, you couldn't have said they were at the top of their game. Obviously, the same went for the All Blacks.
Through 40 minutes, I felt the All Blacks had played more rugby and that was evidenced by the territorial stats which had them boasting a whopping 64%.
Unfortunately, and it wasn't helped that they weren't on top of their game and the Aussie defence was so well organised, we didn't see the benefits on the scoreboard.
In saying that, I still felt confident the All Blacks could turn it around in the second half because, while perhaps not reflected on the scoreboard, this game was very finely balanced. In the 40 minutes that ensued, the All Blacks played with aggression and stepped up to the plate with the pressure on.
It was interesting to see Wallabies prop Al Baxter get pulled after just 30 minutes. In the opening half hour, he continued his long-running battle with Woodcock and it was obvious the Wallabies' scrum was under pressure. When you see a scrum collapsing all the time on their own ball that's usually a sign that team's scrum is under massive pressure. That was the same when these sides met in Auckland.
The decision by Robbie Deans to pull Baxter early proved right and the Wallabies' scrum looked a wee bit better almost instantly.
In the build-up to this test, there was discussion about the decision to play Luke McAlister, who was in the wars all night and left the ground just before the 50th minute, at second-five. In his 50 minutes on the paddock, I felt he looked a lot more comfortable certainly more so than he has in recent weeks at No 10.
Looking at the All Blacks play, the number of times the ball continues to go behind or at the shoulder of the player rather than in front was just another sign the team is not operating at its best.
As for Dan Carter's return, while he perhaps should have kicked "that"dropped goal, he still added composure to the backline.
By TAINE RANDELL - Sunday News
23/08/2009
OPINION: What a huge victory for the All Blacks.
And in Australia, too.
The fact that last night's one-point win over the Wallabies came in Sydney cannot be belittled.
The biggest city in Australia has traditionally been a hard stomping ground for the Men in Black, up until last night, that is.
While this was not a game of flashy, open rugby with an emphasis on each side's running game, it was still an enthralling contest.
These two teams gave it their absolute all and that test was as intense as test rugby gets.
For me, the stars were the All Blacks forwards who were crucial in turning around a halftime deficit.
In particular, Tony Woodcock, who was brilliant up front, Andrew Hore for his tight and loose efforts and Kieran Read were impressive.
The New Zealand lineout was also crucial in this success.
Despite the fact the Wallabies had a 12-3 lead at halftime, you couldn't have said they were at the top of their game. Obviously, the same went for the All Blacks.
Through 40 minutes, I felt the All Blacks had played more rugby and that was evidenced by the territorial stats which had them boasting a whopping 64%.
Unfortunately, and it wasn't helped that they weren't on top of their game and the Aussie defence was so well organised, we didn't see the benefits on the scoreboard.
In saying that, I still felt confident the All Blacks could turn it around in the second half because, while perhaps not reflected on the scoreboard, this game was very finely balanced. In the 40 minutes that ensued, the All Blacks played with aggression and stepped up to the plate with the pressure on.
It was interesting to see Wallabies prop Al Baxter get pulled after just 30 minutes. In the opening half hour, he continued his long-running battle with Woodcock and it was obvious the Wallabies' scrum was under pressure. When you see a scrum collapsing all the time on their own ball that's usually a sign that team's scrum is under massive pressure. That was the same when these sides met in Auckland.
The decision by Robbie Deans to pull Baxter early proved right and the Wallabies' scrum looked a wee bit better almost instantly.
In the build-up to this test, there was discussion about the decision to play Luke McAlister, who was in the wars all night and left the ground just before the 50th minute, at second-five. In his 50 minutes on the paddock, I felt he looked a lot more comfortable certainly more so than he has in recent weeks at No 10.
Looking at the All Blacks play, the number of times the ball continues to go behind or at the shoulder of the player rather than in front was just another sign the team is not operating at its best.
As for Dan Carter's return, while he perhaps should have kicked "that"dropped goal, he still added composure to the backline.
Carter breaks Australian hearts at the bitter end
http://www.rugbyheaven.com.au/news/news/carter-breaks-australian-hearts-at-the-bitter-end/2009/08/22/1250362261002.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1
Greg Growden
August 23, 2009
THE Wallabies' Tri Nations and Bledisloe Cup campaigns ended in the most excruciating fashion when Dan Carter kicked a 78th-minute penalty goal to win the most dramatic of Tests 19-18 at ANZ Stadium last night.
The Wallabies appeared set to win 18-16 until Australian winger Lachie Turner was penalised for not releasing the ball, enabling Carter to kick the winning penalty.
The home team had their chances in the final minutes when they charged at the All Blacks line, but it all ended when replacement prop Ben Alexander dropped the ball near the line, ending the game.
This was the most demoralising of losses for the Wallabies, as they led for most of the game, showed great courage and an exceptional defensive effort, but fell just short.
It was a messy, disjointed first-half and the Wallabies survived on mere scraps, but somehow they were able to enjoy a 12-3 lead at the break.
This lead would have confounded many, especially as the All Blacks had the ball in hand far more often than the home team, the Wallabies scrum was extremely shaky prompting tight-head prop Al Baxter to be replaced after just 30 minutes. Australia often seemed uncertain what exactly they were doing.
There were high kicks, but also enough attacking play to revitalise the 80,228 crowd. However the erratic skills affected the spectacle.
Ultimately the first half all revolved around the rigid nature of the Wallabies defence which on endless occasions kept the All Blacks, who were mustered well by their five-eighth Daniel Carter, well away from their tryline. So effective was the midfield defensive line that the All Blacks eventually found themselves getting flustered, prompting errors and turnovers.
But this did not mean that the Wallabies often found relief at the other end of the field. They were constantly perched in the New Zealand half. Their first real attacking opportunity did not occur until the 28th minute, and it was soon thwarted.
Instead the Wallabies had to rely on their occasional moments when they got into the All Blacks half, and the New Zealanders' frustration at the breakdown, which saw the referee Jonathan Kaplan providing a glut of penalties in Australia's favour.
Kaplan was clearly onto All Black captain Richie McCaw, while his teammates were harshly dealt with when they talked back to the South African referee, prompting them to marched down the field.
While the All Blacks were often the guilty party, several of Kaplan's decisions in Australia's favour were questionable, and the Wallabies, who were roughly dealt with in the previous two Tests by the whistleblowers, suddenly discovered the benefits of home ground advantage.
While Matt Giteau's precise goalkicking boot gave the Wallabies the scoreboard advantage, his play at five-eighth was also constructive. Giteau and Carter were the first half standouts, both directing play well, but around them other players suffered from nerves and bed hands.
The scrums were, as expected, all over the place, with the All Blacks getting the early ascendency on Baxter's side of the scrum. After Baxter was penalised for dropping the scrum in the 30th minute, he was replaced by Ben Alexander - but the setpiece didn't exactly improve dramatically.
In the second half, the Wallabies had to rearrange their attack when Berrick Barnes had to be replaced because of a neck injury, which saw replacement Ryan Cross go to outside centre, and Adam Ashley-Cooper take over at No 12. Then Drew Mitchell found himself at fullback when James O'Connor had to be replaced because of a corked leg.
Ill-discipline also bobbed up for the Wallabies at the wrong time, with Richard Brown, for the second Test running, heading to the sinbin in the 43rd minute after a dangerous tackle on All Blacks prop Owen Franks.
But the Wallabies were able to survive this dangerous period as they conceded just three points, even though just before Brown returned to the field, the All Blacks had a Carter try disallowed because of a forward pass. Then minutes later, Jimmy Cowan had a try disallowed for obstruction.
But in the 64th minute replacement back Ma'a Nonu looped around several forwards to score the opening try.
Greg Growden
August 23, 2009
THE Wallabies' Tri Nations and Bledisloe Cup campaigns ended in the most excruciating fashion when Dan Carter kicked a 78th-minute penalty goal to win the most dramatic of Tests 19-18 at ANZ Stadium last night.
The Wallabies appeared set to win 18-16 until Australian winger Lachie Turner was penalised for not releasing the ball, enabling Carter to kick the winning penalty.
The home team had their chances in the final minutes when they charged at the All Blacks line, but it all ended when replacement prop Ben Alexander dropped the ball near the line, ending the game.
This was the most demoralising of losses for the Wallabies, as they led for most of the game, showed great courage and an exceptional defensive effort, but fell just short.
It was a messy, disjointed first-half and the Wallabies survived on mere scraps, but somehow they were able to enjoy a 12-3 lead at the break.
This lead would have confounded many, especially as the All Blacks had the ball in hand far more often than the home team, the Wallabies scrum was extremely shaky prompting tight-head prop Al Baxter to be replaced after just 30 minutes. Australia often seemed uncertain what exactly they were doing.
There were high kicks, but also enough attacking play to revitalise the 80,228 crowd. However the erratic skills affected the spectacle.
Ultimately the first half all revolved around the rigid nature of the Wallabies defence which on endless occasions kept the All Blacks, who were mustered well by their five-eighth Daniel Carter, well away from their tryline. So effective was the midfield defensive line that the All Blacks eventually found themselves getting flustered, prompting errors and turnovers.
But this did not mean that the Wallabies often found relief at the other end of the field. They were constantly perched in the New Zealand half. Their first real attacking opportunity did not occur until the 28th minute, and it was soon thwarted.
Instead the Wallabies had to rely on their occasional moments when they got into the All Blacks half, and the New Zealanders' frustration at the breakdown, which saw the referee Jonathan Kaplan providing a glut of penalties in Australia's favour.
Kaplan was clearly onto All Black captain Richie McCaw, while his teammates were harshly dealt with when they talked back to the South African referee, prompting them to marched down the field.
While the All Blacks were often the guilty party, several of Kaplan's decisions in Australia's favour were questionable, and the Wallabies, who were roughly dealt with in the previous two Tests by the whistleblowers, suddenly discovered the benefits of home ground advantage.
While Matt Giteau's precise goalkicking boot gave the Wallabies the scoreboard advantage, his play at five-eighth was also constructive. Giteau and Carter were the first half standouts, both directing play well, but around them other players suffered from nerves and bed hands.
The scrums were, as expected, all over the place, with the All Blacks getting the early ascendency on Baxter's side of the scrum. After Baxter was penalised for dropping the scrum in the 30th minute, he was replaced by Ben Alexander - but the setpiece didn't exactly improve dramatically.
In the second half, the Wallabies had to rearrange their attack when Berrick Barnes had to be replaced because of a neck injury, which saw replacement Ryan Cross go to outside centre, and Adam Ashley-Cooper take over at No 12. Then Drew Mitchell found himself at fullback when James O'Connor had to be replaced because of a corked leg.
Ill-discipline also bobbed up for the Wallabies at the wrong time, with Richard Brown, for the second Test running, heading to the sinbin in the 43rd minute after a dangerous tackle on All Blacks prop Owen Franks.
But the Wallabies were able to survive this dangerous period as they conceded just three points, even though just before Brown returned to the field, the All Blacks had a Carter try disallowed because of a forward pass. Then minutes later, Jimmy Cowan had a try disallowed for obstruction.
But in the 64th minute replacement back Ma'a Nonu looped around several forwards to score the opening try.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Saturday, August 22, 2009
ARC Updates
(sorry about the delay --Starting July 30th/ ending August 22nd)
Audio: All Blacks VS Springboks
Audio: Springboks VS Australia
Video: Escapade Sports
Video: 2009 Tri Nations Test #4 Highlights - pt1
Video: 2009 Tri Nations Test #4 Highlights - pt2
Audio: All Blacks VS Australia
Audio: All Blacks VS Springboks
First Half: http://www.arcrugby.co.nz/audio/77_first.mp3
Second Half: http://www.arcrugby.co.nz/audio/77_second.mp3
Audio: Springboks VS Australia
First Half: http://www.arcrugby.co.nz/audio/78_first.mp3
Second Half: http://www.arcrugby.co.nz/audio/78_second.mp3
Video: Escapade Sports
Video: 2009 Tri Nations Test #4 Highlights - pt1
Video: 2009 Tri Nations Test #4 Highlights - pt2
Audio: All Blacks VS Australia
First Half: http://www.arcrugby.co.nz/audio/79_first.mp3
Second Half: http://www.arcrugby.co.nz/audio/79_second.mp3
Pre-Match videos
http://www.skysport.co.nz/Default.aspx?tabid=57&cgid=74&cb=n&ll=cgwlist&pcgid=2&cid=11457
CGW All Blacks Friday 02:14
Friday, 21 August 2009
skysport.co.nz
***
Video :
http://www.3news.co.nz/Wallabies-All-Blacks-braced-for-big-match/tabid/317/articleID/117754/cat/70/Default.aspx
Wallabies, All Blacks braced for big match - Video
Sat, 22 Aug 2009 17:53
Article :
http://www.3news.co.nz/3Sport/Story/tabid/415/articleID/117754/cat/70/Default.aspx
CGW All Blacks Friday 02:14
Friday, 21 August 2009
skysport.co.nz
***
Video :
http://www.3news.co.nz/Wallabies-All-Blacks-braced-for-big-match/tabid/317/articleID/117754/cat/70/Default.aspx
Wallabies, All Blacks braced for big match - Video
Sat, 22 Aug 2009 17:53
Article :
http://www.3news.co.nz/3Sport/Story/tabid/415/articleID/117754/cat/70/Default.aspx
Monday, August 17, 2009
McCaw desperate to avoid biggest loser tag
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/2758192/McCaw-desperate-to-avoid-biggest-loser-tag
By RUPERT GUINNESS - SMH
17/08/2009
All Blacks captain Richie McCaw led his band of ''desperate'' teammates into Sydney last night, declaring that the outcome of the Test against the Wallabies on Saturday would determine which one of the two sides will be the first to surrender any hope of winning the Tri Nations title.
McCaw, one of the first All Blacks to pass through Customs after they flew in on three separate flights from Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland, agreed that despite the traditional hype of Saturday's Test doubling as a Bledisloe Cup clash, both sides' losses in South Africa had upped the ante.
The All Blacks beat the Wallabies at Eden Park 22-16, but lost to the Springboks at Bloemfontein and Durban, while Australia were then beaten by the South Africans at Cape Town. The Springboks lead the Tri Nations on 12 points, the Kiwis are second on four while Australia are third on one.
''What the last couple of results for both of us means is that it ups [the pressure] a little more,'' McCaw said of the test at ANZ Stadium.
McCaw said every Test was a ''must-win'' fixture but added: ''I guess from the contest of the Tri Nations - it might even be out our control now - but we have got to ... if we are going to be a chance, we have to win the last three games. And we have to start [winning on] Saturday.''
Asked if he felt the loser in Saturday's Test would be out of the race to win this year's Tri Nations title, McCaw said: ''Yeah ... I guess from our point of view, the Bledisloe Cup is still on the line as well.
''That is the trophy that we - and the Wallabies as well - value pretty highly. So this is another game in the series. It is a big part of it. [But] you are right. If we don't win this week, the Tri Nations is all but gone I would suggest.''
All Blacks coach Graham Henry agreed the test had added spice with so much at stake for two ''desperate'' sides coming off losses.
''It will be good to play in this part of the world, I suppose, instead of over there [in South Africa],'' Henry said as he arrived.
''That just means both sides are pretty desperate aren't they? They haven't done so well so far in the Tri Nations. It's early days yet, and so both sides will be desperate for a win.''
Henry said five-eighth Dan Carter was ''in good shape'' and ''has been playing well at the level below, provincial level'' after six months out due to injury.
But Henry said the All Blacks ''can't expect him to do the job for us'' and win the Test on his own. ''He will be another player for us, and I am sure he will play well ... if he gets selected,'' he said.
By RUPERT GUINNESS - SMH
17/08/2009
All Blacks captain Richie McCaw led his band of ''desperate'' teammates into Sydney last night, declaring that the outcome of the Test against the Wallabies on Saturday would determine which one of the two sides will be the first to surrender any hope of winning the Tri Nations title.
McCaw, one of the first All Blacks to pass through Customs after they flew in on three separate flights from Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland, agreed that despite the traditional hype of Saturday's Test doubling as a Bledisloe Cup clash, both sides' losses in South Africa had upped the ante.
The All Blacks beat the Wallabies at Eden Park 22-16, but lost to the Springboks at Bloemfontein and Durban, while Australia were then beaten by the South Africans at Cape Town. The Springboks lead the Tri Nations on 12 points, the Kiwis are second on four while Australia are third on one.
''What the last couple of results for both of us means is that it ups [the pressure] a little more,'' McCaw said of the test at ANZ Stadium.
McCaw said every Test was a ''must-win'' fixture but added: ''I guess from the contest of the Tri Nations - it might even be out our control now - but we have got to ... if we are going to be a chance, we have to win the last three games. And we have to start [winning on] Saturday.''
Asked if he felt the loser in Saturday's Test would be out of the race to win this year's Tri Nations title, McCaw said: ''Yeah ... I guess from our point of view, the Bledisloe Cup is still on the line as well.
''That is the trophy that we - and the Wallabies as well - value pretty highly. So this is another game in the series. It is a big part of it. [But] you are right. If we don't win this week, the Tri Nations is all but gone I would suggest.''
All Blacks coach Graham Henry agreed the test had added spice with so much at stake for two ''desperate'' sides coming off losses.
''It will be good to play in this part of the world, I suppose, instead of over there [in South Africa],'' Henry said as he arrived.
''That just means both sides are pretty desperate aren't they? They haven't done so well so far in the Tri Nations. It's early days yet, and so both sides will be desperate for a win.''
Henry said five-eighth Dan Carter was ''in good shape'' and ''has been playing well at the level below, provincial level'' after six months out due to injury.
But Henry said the All Blacks ''can't expect him to do the job for us'' and win the Test on his own. ''He will be another player for us, and I am sure he will play well ... if he gets selected,'' he said.
Saturday, August 08, 2009
Richie McCaw injured, as well as hurting
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/2729869/Richie-McCaw-injured-as-well-as-hurting
By MARC HINTON - Stuff.co.nz - 7 August 2009 (Photo: Photosport)
All Blacks captain Richie McCaw has confirmed he's an unlikely starter for Canterbury prior to the Sydney Bledisloe as he looks to shake off a nerve problem in his neck ahead of the make-or-break Tri-Nations matchup.And the world-class openside in an interview today on Radio Sport has refused to budge on his stance that his side did not get it badly wrong tactically in Durban, saying he thought the New Zealanders' approach to the game had been "spot on".
McCaw picked up some nerve damage out of the opening defeat to the Springboks in Bloemfontein, played through it in the second loss in Durban, but is now looking to clear the issue up ahead of the August 22 showdown against the Wallabies in Sydney.
The All Blacks have to win that match to keep alive any hopes of retaining the Tri-Nations title, and also to avoid a third consecutive test defeat and fourth this season.
McCaw told Radio Sport today that the neck problem had given him "a bit of grief" in South Africa and he was concentrating on getting that right before he even contemplated a rare provincial outing.
"It's quite important I get that right, so that's the reason I'm not playing this weekend and may not be playing next."
The All Blacks skipper, though, remained steadfast that there was no confusion about the game-plan in Durban, where the New Zealanders were guilty of trying to play too much rugby deep in their own half.
The Boks feasted on All Blacks errors and built their score steadily as they ran away to a convincing 31-19 victory.
"A couple of times, especially early on when were up by a few points, there were opportunities to have a go and, had we taken them, opportunities to score. Had that happened it might have changed the game," he said.
"I guess if you look at risk versus reward, maybe it wasn't quite right early in the game, and maybe it was something to do as the game goes on. That's something we've got to learn.
"We were pinned down, and we had to work out ways of getting going. That's something over the next week of so we'll be thinking about. But in terms of the way we approached the game I thought we had that reasonably spot on."
McCaw conceded "we tried to play too much rugby in our own half" and that the All Blacks' skills had let them down. "It's not an excuse, because you expect them to be better. We've got to figure out why that's happening and make sure it doesn't happen again.
"There were definitely opportunities we didn't take just through simple errors. So some of the decisions we made were actually good, it's just a case of executing. That comes down to guys just making sure we get that right."
McCaw did admit the lineout struggles were a major concern, and also a source of much of the pressure that was being applied to his side.
"When you don't get any lineout ball, it's hard to get a platform to get some field position," he told the station's breakfast host.
"So the ball we were getting we were getting in our own half. We wanted to play the game and move their big fellows around, but it didn't work like that because we were making mistakes and not getting good enough set-piece ball."
The All Blacks' defence and attitude had remained strong, despite the succession of errors, and McCaw said that was a positive that had to be built on.
"We've got to transfer that physical edge to when we get the ball and be ruthless with our execution. That was certainly something we talked about after Bloemfontein, but it didn't happen. That's going to be a key emphasis over the next week or so leading into the next test."
McCaw remained adamant it wasn't all doom and gloom for the All Blacks and that the slide was correctible.
"It's little things across the board causing us grief and if we can sort them out we've got to keep the belief we've got the right players… we're bitterly disappointed, more so than anyone. The guys understand what we did at the weekend wasn't good enough. I know they're all going to be pretty determined to get that sorted."
The All Blacks will get back together next week for another of their mini training camps, then reassemble on the Sunday prior to the Bledisloe when they will travel directly to Sydney.
McCaw wasn't sure whether his long-time team-mate Dan Carter would be called up for that trip, but joined the chorus urging caution with the gifted playmaker on the comeback trail from Achilles tendon surgery.
"You don't want to rush a guy just coming back himself and expect him to change where you're at," he said.
"If he's ready, he's ready, and if not we've just got to accept that and get on with it.
"You don't want to put a guy under unnecessary [pressure] if he's not ready. Stephen Donald is playing some reasonable rugby, we're just not giving him good enough service. Everyone's to blame, not just one guy.
"If we wait till the test matches at home in another four or five weeks of rugby, I'm sure he'll be better for that too."
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