10 Oct 2011

Good decisions on and off field important - McCaw

3:23 pm on 10 October 2011

All Blacks captain Richie McCaw says making the right decisions on and off the field will be important if they are to win the Rugby World Cup.

Winger Cory Jane and fullback Israel Dagg had a late-night drinking session late last week.

Coach Graham Henry says he had dealt with the issue and was moving on.

McCaw was then asked whether or not senior members of the team were expected to abstain from drinking for the good of the team.

''I think if we're realistic about putting everything we can into winning this tournament, it is about making good decisions,'' he said.

''And we probably had an incident that was not a very good decision, but we've dealt with that and the guys are pretty committed about doing everything they can to win the thing.

''That's the way it has been all the way through and that's the way it will continue.''

Jane was open about what had happened, telling reporters on Sunday: ''It was a stupid choice. However, it was important for me to play well today and I feel I did.''

He said the incident had not gone down well with the coaching staff.

''It was awkward. It was pretty quiet and pretty tough,'' he said.

Henry on Sunday night indicated that Jane had been forgiven. I think he is a proud All Black and he wanted to perform.