Holah just insurance for McCaw, says Henry

ALL BLACKS coach Graham Henry has insisted his Test series linchpin Richie McCaw is not in danger of missing this Saturday’s first Test against the British and Irish Lions in Christchurch.

Henry said yesterday that his decision to call flanker Marty Holah into the New Zealand camp as cover was merely a precaution while McCaw, one of the All Blacks’ main weapons against the Lions this summer, attempts to get over a minor back strain.

Holah was a surprise omission from the All Blacks’ 26-man squad ten days ago, when assistant coach Steve Hansen said no specialist cover was needed for McCaw as they expected their main man to play every minute of every Test against the Lions.

There was a quick rethink of that view however, and Holah, one of the stars of the New Zealand Maori victory over the Lions in Hamilton on June 11, was summoned from the Junior All Blacks squad in Queensland, Australia, to join the senior party in Christchurch.

“I’d just like to emphasise that this is a precaution,” Henry said yesterday.

“Richie has come through the hardest part of the training week and is good to go. Marty’s presence is insurance just in case Richie’s back should worsen unexpectedly. All the signs are that his back will be fine, but backs can be a little unpredictable so we’ve taken this extra step.”

Standing next to Henry at the All Blacks’ team hotel in central Christchurch, McCaw said: “It’s something I’ve had for a long time, it comes and goes. My experience is that I can play and train with this niggle and it usually comes right after a few days. But in case it does something unusual, it’s good for the team to be ready.”

Turning to this weekend’s challenge at Jade Stadium, McCaw said he wasn’t sure what all the fuss was about concerning the Lions’ approach to the breakdown.

Some of the tourists’ provincial opponents had accused Clive Woodward’s side of cheating in the tackle area and slowing the ball down others of not committing enough numbers.

McCaw said: “It’s not too much different if you ask me. There’s been a lot of media hype about it but in the rugby I’ve played in the last wee while it’s always been the area that really means whether you’re going to do well in the game or not.

“Obviously, a little bit more intensity this week will make it a little bit more physical, but the goal is still to get clean ball and stop the other team slowing our ball while slowing down their ball. That’s always been the way and it will be no different this week.”

McCaw said he will have to keep a special eye out for the problems veteran Lions’ No 7 Neil Back poses in direct opposition to him. “He’s a smart player when it comes to what he does at the breakdown. I’ve only played against him once and he certainly made his presence felt. I’ll expect nothing else at the weekend and it’s something we’ll have to stop.”