Rugby: New Zealand vs Fiji Preview

From: www.espnstar.com/other-sports/news/detai...and-vs-Fiji-Preview/

New Zealand captain Richie McCaw is confident his side will not suffer an upset similar to Tri Nations rivals Australia when they meet Fiji.

The Wallabies went down 32-23 to Samoa last weekend in a surprise which was noticed across the Tasman Sea but McCaw believes the All Blacks will prove too strong for the Pacific Islanders.

He told www.stuff.co.nz: "We haven't put a lot of emphasis on what we're up against this week.

"They've got players who can play with the ball, and if we make the game loose they're certainly good ball-players.

"This week is certainly about making sure we get our stuff sorted. We've got to make sure we get the physicality right, get the little things right at the breakdown. They've got the ability if we loosen up to put the pressure on.

"You've only got to look at last Sunday's result to see if you don't get things right and things start going against you, you can be in trouble."

The clash with the Fijians at Carisbrook is a warm-up for the Tri Nations, which gets under way when Australia meet South Africa on Saturday night - with the World Cup following on shortly afterwards.

"This week is about getting together without thinking too much about down the track," added McCaw.

"It's about getting everything sorted so we play well this week and then go into the Tri Nations. What we do now is going to hopefully set us up for later in the year."
The fact the World Cup squad is yet to be selected will also give the players an added incentive, according to McCaw.

"Everyone wants to make sure they're involved later in the year so we want to do it right," he said.

"We don't want to leave that big white elephant in the room, it's something to get excited about. But we've got to do it right here and now and that's the attitude I think we've got to keep."

Fiji have named an understrength side for what should be a formidable test but coach Samuela Domoni is relishing the chance to test his men against the best.
"Our guys are really looking forward to it," he said.

"We look at playing the All Blacks like playing in a World Cup. It only comes round every four years and the guys are looking forward to it."