Thursday 20th September 2007
The real graft for the All Blacks will begin this Saturday when Graham Henry's men do battle with Scotland in Edinburgh.
Captain Richie McCaw told the Sydney Morning Herald that the trip to Edinburgh would be the real test of his team's abilities.
"This week it's pretty important that we take a step up," said the All Black flanker
The All Blacks will be anxious to finish at the top of Pool C but will have added pressure on them against Scotland as they are expected to win.
"The Scots are going to be a good challenge and we'll find out exactly where we're at. We have to do it right and because of that there's a bit more edge," added McCaw.
The All Black captain admitted that the first two weeks of their World Cup campaign were relatively stress free, which was the real danger for his team.
"We had a really enjoyable week last week this week though you feel like you're in a bigger test match.
"From here on in, for the next five weeks, we're going to have to be on top of our game right through."
According to McCaw the French are the team to watch in the World Cup, which is a rather intriguing comment when one considers that the two teams are on a collision course, pending on the final results in Pool D of course.
"I don't think the French are that far off," McCaw said.
"Against Namibia they showed they're prepared to use the ball. They are still going to be a threat in this tournament.
McCaw didn't read too much into the loss to Argentina in the World Cup opener and still regards France highly.
"I think they got lured into playing a different style of game against Argentina and you can't read too much into that."
McCaw fell short of suggesting that he predicted a quarter-final showdown against Les Bleus in Cardiff, which for most pundits is certainly a probability as it is unlikely that Ireland will beat the Argentinians in Paris, based on the team from the Emerald Isle's current form.
But judging from his response to questions, one could instinctively tell that was what he was thinking.
"If that happens it happens, we can't control it. I haven't thought too far ahead to that. There's no point looking at what might happen, you've got to keep an eye on what you're doing," said a mentally-focused McCaw.
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