Liam Napier
Intimidation doesn't enter McCaw's mindset. Shying away from a challenge
isn't part of his DNA. So when the conversation turns to the animosity
and unique hostile reception the All Blacks will confront in
Johannesburg this week, his grin suggests that's what he lives for.
McCaw has achieved almost everything in his distinguished career - but he's never played a test at Ellis Park.
Injury robbed him of the chance in 2004 but he's confident when the All Blacks front the seething Springboks at their spiritual home in a week's time if his knee will allow him to lead the charge.
"I desperately want to play," McCaw said in Buenos Aires yesterday. "We're on track. I'm happy with where I'm at. It's one of those injuries you know they're going to come right. At this point I'm getting pretty close."
To most it seems daunting. The All Blacks haven't won at Ellis Park since 1997 - two years after Joel Stransky drop-kicked the Boks to World Cup glory and national unity - and have lost 10 of their 13 tests there.
"That tells you a fair bit doesn't it," McCaw said. "I didn't realise that but it doesn't surprise me. It's a tough place to play anyway . . . that might be the reason we're going back there.
"The other thing with Ellis Park is the World Cup final was played there. I remember watching that on TV. This is hopefully an opportunity to be able to experience that."
Not even the notorious ride to the ground, where local supporters shake and shout abuse at the team bus, causes McCaw to deviate from his typically calm demeanour.
"We had it with the Crusaders. We've had it at other grounds, people banging on the bus. That adds to the whole occasion. I'm looking forward to it," he says, lounging back in his seat.
"If we do the business this weekend [against the Pumas today] the Rugby Championship comes down to that game. It's going to be one helluva match. That's the way you want it. From what I hear they were pretty disappointed with what happened in Auckland."
Disappointed is an understatement. The two yellow cards shown to Boks hooker Bismarck du Plessis caused a mighty stir.
But for all the hissing emanating from South Africa, McCaw isn't worried. He was sideline at Eden Park, nursing his injured knee. He witnessed the All Blacks forwards meet the Boks physicality head on. And, once again, he's got no doubts they won't take a backward step.
McCaw won't let his men be dictated, to be bashed, but there's more to this All Blacks side than brute force.
Sure test rugby requires you to win the physical collisions, but, ultimately, skills and smarts will overcome pure brawn.
"You look at our blokes and the way they fronted that a couple of weeks ago," he said. "In terms of fronting up to them and eliminating their strength, which is their forwards, I thought we did that reasonably well. There's no reason why we can't do that again. Then you eliminate a bit of that passion and it becomes how smart you are and how you play.
"I'd hate to be a team that just relies on that [aggression], we've got to be smart as well."
McCaw expects the Boks to push the boundaries. He won't be surprised by any cheap shots - it's not like that hasn't happened before. Dean Greyling didn't miss with his ugly forearm to McCaw's face. Neither did du Plessis with his elbow to Liam Messam's throat in Auckland. After what happened that controversial night, the Boks may feel they'll have more leeway at home.
"They'll do the same if not even more," the 119-test flanker predicted. "They're playing the Aussies and I imagine they'll do the job this week but I suspect in back of their minds they'll have this one coming up at Ellis Park. We'll have to expect that."
