Richie McCaw warns All Blacks of England’s Ben Foden threat
New Zealand captain Richie McCaw believes that his side must be wary of the threat of England’s full-back Ben Foden ahead of the Autumn International Test match at Twickenham on Saturday, 6 November.
Foden, along with wing Chris Ashton and scrum-half Ben Youngs have provided England with some cutting edge and speed in their back-line.
The All Blacks did not concede a try on last year’s November tour to the northern hemisphere, but McCaw is aware that England and their backs will be confident after their performance in Australia during the summer.
"The way the game is going, to compete you have got to have the ability to use the ball and England showed that against the Wallabies," said the All Blacks captain.
McCaw singled out England’s Foden as one of the main threats to New Zealand and he admitted that the young full-back adds something different to England in the position.
“Foden has got some real ability with the ball in hand. Perhaps in the past against England you might expect the ball to be kicked straight back at you, but he has got the attitude to have a crack first—kicking is certainly his second option."
England will go into Saturday’s game full of confidence after watching the Wallabies team beat the All Blacks on Saturday 30 October.
McCaw expects a physical test and that the likes of Andrew Sheridan who has been brought back into the squad, will try to gain an advantage in the tight five.
"They are going to be a challenge physically. They are a big team who pride themselves on that. We are going to have to be right on the job to prepare for that," said McCaw.
Yet, with players such as Foden, England now have the option of confronting the All Blacks up front and out wide.
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