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Wide World of Sports
Story by Sam Worthington and Jemima Skelley
He made a career out of tormenting Australia but Richie McCaw says New Zealand needs a resurgent Wallabies for the sake of its own rugby health.
The All Blacks icon spoke to Wide World of Sports in the wake of Australia's historic Rugby World Cup flop and New Zealand's heartbreaking loss to South Africa in the final.
McCaw, who captained the All Blacks to World Cup triumphs in 2011 and 2015, said he took no pleasure from watching the Wallabies sink to ninth in the world rankings and failing to reach the quarter-finals in France this year.
"Obviously, disappointing from a Wallaby point of view that they didn't get out of the group stage," the retired flanker said.
"I was part of a team in 2007 that although we made the quarters, we came home well below expectations. When you've got people that expect better there is a lot of questions asked but you've got to make sure the passion and the people who really care get aligned on the things you need to do to turn it around. I know a lot of the players I played against who are extremely passionate and want to see Wallaby rugby and Australian rugby in general be successful.
"From a New Zealand point of view, we need the Wallabies to be successful to have a Super (Rugby) competition. They may not have the depth that they like but they certainly have got talented players."
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Trans-Tasman relations have been tense in recent years but New Zealand Rugby is optimistic they will improve following the removal of headline hogging Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan on Sunday.
Chief executives and former internationals Phil Waugh and Mark Robinson have a cordial relationship.
Australia hasn't held the Bledisloe Cup for 20 years and McCaw was asked whether it was "sad" that the rivalry had become so one sided.
"The All Blacks may have won quite a few, but you look at the last game they played (a 23-20 win in Dunedin this year) and the Wallabies were pretty unlucky to not win it so they're certainly capable. It's not like it's a training run, they're still tough matches."
McCaw was at Stade de France last month to watch the Springboks beat the All Blacks 12-11 in the final after New Zealand captain Sam Cane was sent off.
The 148 Test veteran said it was "hard to take."
Richie McCaw of New Zealand after the Rugby World Cup loss to France in 2007.
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