Sunday 25 October 2015 19:31, UK
Steve Hansen described Richie McCaw as "the greatest skipper" for exorcising the ghosts of 2007 in driving New Zealand to a second consecutive World Cup final.
All Blacks boss Hansen cited McCaw's calm leadership as the decisive factor in closing out a 20-18 semi-final victory over South Africa in Twickenham's driving rain on Saturday.
Hansen revealed McCaw was "hurt" by heavy criticism after New Zealand's 20-18 defeat to France in the 2007 quarter-finals in Cardiff, where the All Blacks spurned a hatful of late drop-goal chances.
But eight years later, Jerome Kaino and Beauden Barrett claimed tries with Dan Carter booting 10 points - including a drop-goal - as the All Blacks prevailed in horrid weather, leaving Hansen laying great praise at his captain's door.
"We've probably got the greatest skipper and greatest player the All Blacks and maybe the world has had, without getting ahead of ourselves," said Hansen of McCaw, who lifted the World Cup in 2011.
"As a young captain in 2007, he was criticised a lot.
"And I know that hurt him, but he's grown, and we've grown a leadership group that has a massive amount of self-belief.
"We've had moments where we had to keep that self-belief and I can think of one against Ireland (the last-gasp 24-22 victory in November 2013).Then in those moments, it's just about the process, What have we got to do right now? What do we do next? And it becomes the norm.
"You've got four or five guys who have played around 100 games.You've got guys on the park who can do that for you. It's a learned skill like anything, and self-belief is a massive thing."
McCaw toasted his record 13th World Cup match as captain by driving the tenacious All Blacks to their second-straight tournament final.
New Zealand edged out France 8-7 in Auckland in 2011, and now have the right to defend their title.
The All Blacks would make history by retaining the Webb Ellis Cup, with Hansen quickly admitting his side must cut down their penalty count.
"Yeah, it is worrying," said Hansen, of New Zealand handing South Africa scoring chances from the tee.
"It makes it harder to overcome it. If we can sort that out, it makes it harder for the opposition.
"So that's something we've got to sort out."
