McCaw demands better from All Blacks

Richie McCaw has given an ominous warning to Argentina that there is more improvement to come from the All Blacks after their inspired performance against Australia.

The All Blacks produced their best showing of the year to blow the Wallabies off Eden Park two weeks ago but their captain concedes they didn’t get everything right in the 51-20 humiliation.

And he’s intent in putting that right in Saturday’s Test at Napier’s McLean Park.

“There’s things we didn’t get right when we played the Aussies a couple of weeks ago. We want to be better than that.

“Hopefully the scoreboard looks good if we can do that.

“We’ve got to be able to walk off the field having a level of performance the same, or if not better, than the last time,” McCaw said.

But McCaw, who wins his 130th Test cap, remains wary of an improving Argentina side.

“I think they’re playing better than they have done the last couple of years.

“It’s been a challenge each time we’ve played them, certainly in the last three or four games.”

The All Blacks have been closely studying a Pumas side that have adopted a more expansive style of play this season.

Three tries in their heartbreaking 33-31 defeat to the Springboks proved that their approach of the past is changing under new coach Daniel Hourcade.

“They appear to have changed their structures quite a bit since last year and really bought in to playing an open game,” said No.8 Kieran Read.

“That mirrors itself against what we do.”

Recalled fullback Israel Dagg is in no doubt that they’ve modelled themselves on the unpredictable All Blacks.

“(They’re) pretty similar to us in how we try and play – a couple of their moves are pretty similar.

“They’re a team that likes to play and they’re a team that you just don’t know what they’re going to do.

“You’ve got to expect everything,” he said.

Coach Steve Hansen has also seen the change in tactics and likes what he sees.

“I think they’ve made a lot of progress.”

Stay up to date with the latest sports news
Follow our social accounts to get exclusive content and all the latest sporting news!