All Blacks captain Richie McCaw says important lessons learnt from Samoa scare

CAPTAIN Richie McCaw believes withstanding a fired up Samoa will hold the All Blacks in good stead at the Rugby World Cup.

APIA, SAMOA - JULY 08: Richie McCaw of the New Zealand All Blacks takes a break during the International Test match between Samoa and the New Zealand All Blacks at Apia Stadium on July 8, 2015 in Apia, Samoa. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

CAPTAIN Richie McCaw believes withstanding a fired up Samoa will hold the All Blacks in good stead when they encounter inevitable pressure-cooker finishes at the World Cup.

McCaw’s men held firm on Wednesday to win 25-16 over opponents who sprang to life in the final quarter, closing within six points to the backdrop of deafening crowd noise at Apia Park.

The 34-year-old flanker showed the way with a string of decisive late tackles to cap an inspirational game.

Richie McCaw of the All Blacks thanks the crowd after winning the Test match against Samoa.

He played down his contribution but talked up New Zealand’s ability to finish with poise, something that was a highlight of their 2014 season, when they won several tight Tests.

“These are experiences that you bank away. You’ve just got to stick to what you’re doing without panicking,” he said.

“It would have been easy to start to worry about what might happen if you conceded more points. But there was none of that.

“That will be a good thing to put away in the back pocket for further down the track.”

Richie McCaw of the All Blacks takes a break during the Test match against Samoa.

McCaw described the conditions as among the toughest he had encountered in 138 Tests.

Some early-season Super Rugby games in South Africa and Australia had matched the temperature but none of those games carried the intensity brought by Samoa.

“Myself and a few of us didn’t have a lot left in the tank but it’s a win against a team that climbed into it.

“She was a bit of a scramble for the last 15 but we got the job done, I guess.”

Originally published as All Blacks captain Richie McCaw says important lessons learnt from Samoa scare