No complacency for All Blacks

There was no hint of complacency from All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw as he led his top-ranked side through their final World Cup preparations on Thursday tasked with overturning 24 years of failure.

Updated on: Sep 9, 2011, 01:35:26 IST

Agencies | By HT Correspondent, Auckland

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There was no hint of complacency from All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw as he led his top-ranked side through their final World Cup preparations on Thursday tasked with overturning 24 years of failure. The All Blacks carry the weight of a rugby-obsessed nation to regain the trophy they have held only once — winning the inaugural tournament in 1987. Their worst show was in 2007 when they were bundled out in the quarters. "You’d be a mug if you haven’t learned in the four years since then," McCaw said on the eve of their opener against Tonga. AFP

Botha may miss opener

Veteran hard man Bakkies Botha will almost certainly miss South Africa’s opener against Wales on Sunday, with the Springboks further hurt by an injury concern over winger Brian Habana. Botha has been suffering from a chronic Achilles’ tendon problem that flared up again earlier this week. Reuters

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