26 Oct 2015

Hansen says McCaw will be fine

5:44 am on 26 October 2015

New Zealand coach Steve Hansen has dismissed reports All Blacks captain Richie McCaw could miss the World Cup final for elbowing an opponent in the semi-final.

Francois Louw and Richie McCaw RWC2015

Francois Louw and Richie McCaw RWC2015 Photo: PHOTOSPORT

"There's nothing in it, so there's nothing to talk about. Move on," Hansen told a press conference the day after New Zealand's 20-18 win over South Africa.

Video images emerged after the fiercely-contested game showing McCaw's elbow apparently striking Springbok flanker Francois Louw.

Other images shown later made it look as though Louw was hit by McCaw's hip.

McCaw is looking straight ahead at the time of the incident as he chases Damian de Allende, who has the ball, around the back of a ruck.

Louw is on one knee having just completed a turnover and fed the ball to de Allende as McCaw goes past.

Some media in New Zealand and Britain questioned whether the blow could lead to McCaw being cited ahead of next weekend's World Cup final.

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