McCaw returning to where it all began

TWO DAYS short of a seventh anniversary visit to Dublin, New Zealand captain Richie McCaw hopes Ireland will be as accommodating as they were on his international debut.

In 2001, Ireland had posted a record 29 points against the All Blacks by the early stages of the second half and, backs to the wall, the tourists had to face down the possibility of losing to the men in green for the first time in history.

The end result, however, had an all too familiar ring about it — New Zealand 40, Ireland 29. McCaw grabbed a try, and at just 20 years of age the rugby world was at his feet.