South Africa vs New Zealand: Richie McCaw exorcises 2007 demons as Steve Hansen praises ugly victory over Springboks
Hansen admitted he was sad to see South Africa bow out of the World Cup in such a broken up game but couldn't hide his delight at reaching next Saturday's final
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Your support makes all the difference.New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen heaped praise on Richie McCaw for exorcising past demons that he admitted “hurt” the All Blacks captain in the past, though while he was pleased to see his side book their place in a record fourth Rugby World Cup final he was disappointed to see a team knocked out in such a messy encounter.
Hansen revealed that criticism of 34-year-old McCaw back at the 2007 Rugby World Cup hit the flanker personally, but believes that his performance to help knock South Africa out of the tournament goes a long way to vindicating his legacy as their captain.
“I think that’s experience,” Hansen said after the victory. “We’ve probably got the greatest player ever seen, but he’s also a great skipper and in 2007 as a young captain he was criticised a lot and I know that hurt him.”
Hansen started off his press conference without taking a question. Instead, he wanted to praise the Springboks for running the reigning champions as close as it comes in an ugly game that he described as “like kissing your sister.”
“I guess what I’d like to say is congratulations to South Africa,” opened Hansen. “It was a massive game for both teams and I guess it’s disappointing that someone has to go home and lose in a contest like that. The game could’ve gone either way and we’re just thankful and humbled to go through and have the opportunity to go through to the final next week.”
The South Africa head coach, Heyneke Meyer, was quick to stress how proud he was of his side, and declared his intention to remain in the position following next Friday’s Bronze final against the loser of Saturday’s semi-final between Argentina and Australia. “I’m there to serve and do whatever it takes,” said Meyer, adding “I’ll never accept second best.”
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