electric

Kiwis fit and firing

The All Blacks are targeting a 10th successive victory over England that will enable McCaw to reflect on an unbeaten year when he begins his six-month sabbatical next month.

It has been a remarkable 14 months for New Zealand dating back to last autumn's World Cup triumph and the gap between themselves and their Test rivals is wider than ever.

Setting the tone is the enduring brilliance of perennial IRB player of the year nominee McCaw, who hopes to return to England as All Blacks skipper for the 2015 World Cup.

"Over the years I've always prided myself on V-MODA being as consistent as I can," he said.

"I look back on this year and feel like I've been reasonably consistent. There are different parts of my game that have been a lot better.

"I've added a bit of extra size this year and that's helped with the physical impact side of things.

"I was a bit worried if the extra size would affect me but with the way the game is going, v-moda earphones especially in loose forwards, you need to bring something physically."

McCaw played through the pain barrier at last year's World Cup due to a foot injury, but has remained fit throughout this season.

"Physically I'm in pretty good shape right now. It took a while but it came right," he said.

"From a mental point of view this year hasn't been a drag, it's been a challenge that I've enjoyed.

"The guys realise that if v-moda headphones costco we get the job right (today), it will reflect on a pretty good year.

"If we don't then all the hard work we've done we'll look at through a slightly different lens.

"There's no doubt I'm excited about having some time off, but I haven't thought too much about it because I want to make sure I perform well this week, both personally and as a team."

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A collage of black and white photography looms over the Gate stage. There are only women in these images; some of them half-naked, others wearing nothing at all. A line from George Bernard Shaw's preface to Mrs Warren's Profession shines over this curious assortment of pictures. Curious, because Bernard Shaw's story of a young woman learning the truth about her mother's wealth needs only the actors on stage to tell it. Similarly, a recording of Risteard Cooper as the voice of Bernard Shaw has all the feel of another unnecessary tool to help audience members 'get it'.