Coach backing for McCaw

NEW ZEALAND assistant coach Steve Hansen has described the criticism of captain Richie McCaw’s work at the breakdown as “boring” after Ireland flanker Stephen Ferris became the latest to accuse the All Blacks of getting away with illegally slowing down opposition ball.

McCaw, 29, has been world rugby’s scavenger supreme at the breakdown since making his debut against Ireland in 2001 with his strong ripping power.

Openside flankers, by their very nature, have to live on the edges of the game’s laws, but McCaw, who along with Mils Muliaina is New Zealand’s most capped player of all time with 93, has come in for plenty of stick during 2010.