New Zealand
Victor Vito not thinking of Rugby World Cup
ESPN Staff
August 14, 2015
Preview: New Zealand v Australia

Victor Vito says he just wants to nail his role for the All Blacks in the back-row battle against the Wallabies rather than worry about pressing his Rugby World Cup claims.

Vito was a surprise selection in the starting XV for the Bledisloe Cup decider at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday, included as blindside flanker for Jerome Kaino. The 28-year-old Hurricanes loose forward has made 27 Test appearances, 16 off the bench, and he last started as No.8 against Scotland last November.

Vito says there's pressure to perform at Eden Park, but not because the Test is the All Blacks' last fixture before the 31-strong World Cup squad is named.

The Hurricanes' Victor Vito is all smiles in victory, Hurricanes v Brumbies, Super Rugby, Westpac Stadium, Wellington, June 27, 2015
Victor Vito © Getty Images
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"It's pressure rugby always with the All Blacks, whether it's a Bledisloe decider or it's a Test against Argentina," he said. "They are all pretty important, so we just have to go out and do our jobs."

Vito was a late call-up for the 2011 World Cup squad, edging out Liam Messam, and he said he could feel a slight sense of déjà vu with both players in this year's preliminary 41-man Test squad.

"A little bit, but I think I'm a bit older now and probably see it a little bit differently," he said. "That's probably where the positive is for me anyway; not being so caught in everyone seeing this as your one shot. It's more about this team, my role and making sure I fulfil it."

Vito will join skipper Richie McCaw, playing a world-record 142nd Test, and No.8 Kieran Read in a loose trio looking to lift New Zealand's performance at the breakdown. The All Blacks have struggled in that phase, not just in their defeat to the Wallabies in Sydney last weekend, but also in their previous win over the Springboks in Johannesburg.

"We just want to make sure we win that battle up front," Vito said. "That means we have to front up physically and obviously the No.6 jersey has got a lot of kudos with that role."

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