Richie McCaw backs All Blacks to return to top of world rugby

The greatest rugby player of all time has given his verdict on the All Blacks’ 2024 season.

And test legend Richie McCaw sounded cautiously optimistic about New Zealand’s chances of returning to the top of world rugby.

McCaw believes Scott Robertson and his coaching team will go into the new season better prepared after feeling their way through the initial campaign in 2024, one that saw them lose four of 14 tests.

“Last year you would say everyone had a good learning – it was a pretty good year by and large, but there are things they would learn from,” he told Newstalk ZB’s D’Arcy Waldegrave.

“No matter what you did beforehand, international level is different.

“With another year gone they will be even better prepared and know what they are in for.”

McCaw, who retired a decade ago after a glittering career, also put the pressure on Robertson and his squad, saying New Zealand still had world-beating talent.

“If you look at the talent across New Zealand, all the Super teams that funnel into the All Blacks, we are still in pretty good shape, there’s no reason why we can’t expect performances at the top level and knock most or all of the teams off. There’s no reason why we can’t, I think.”

McCaw described Moana Pasifika’s recruitment of veteran test star Ardie Savea as a “pretty smart move”.

“I hear the support of the team where they are based is only growing, they’ve got pretty smart people overseeing it,” he said.

“Getting a guy like Ardie as captain is a big statement for them.”

Meanwhile, McCaw, who is involved in resurrecting the 650km Godzone adventure race cancelled in late 2023, has yet to decide if he will compete in the event. The yet-to-be-announced location may make his mind up.

This article was first published on nzherald.co.nz and is republished here with permission