Steve Hansen throws support behind proposed All Blacks 'decider' against British and Irish Lions next year
Former All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen has thrown his support behind a proposed one-off clash between the All Blacks and British and Irish Lions next year.
The idea was coined by Chiefs coach Warren Gatland, who will coach the Lions for a third time on their tour to South Africa in 2021, during an interview on Sky Sport's The Breakdown two weeks ago.
The 56-year-old led the Lions to a drawn series against the All Blacks during their tour of New Zealand three years ago, and suggested a clash between the two sides - potentially at Twickenham - could act as a decider.
Gatland also said the fixture would be a significant revenue-generator for financially-embattled unions who are feeling the full brunt of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
“I’ve spoken to Mark Robinson about a warm-up game for the Lions and he was potentially talking about the New Zealand Maoris,” he said.
“But is it something that the All Blacks go up there for? A decider before we go off to South Africa at the end of June next year.
“Potentially it’s an opportunity to make £4million or £5million from a game like that and put some money back into the coffers that we’re going to need.”
Speaking in a wide-ranging interview with WalesOnline, Hansen - who was Gatland's counterpart in the 2017 series - agreed with the former Wales head coach's vision as the game around the globe borders on financial turmoil.
"Well, it won't be a decider, because it won't be the same people involved," Hansen, who has since joined Top League club Toyota Verblitz in Japan following last year's World Cup, said.
"But what he's really saying is 'let's have this game to try and help make some money for the game because the game is in trouble'."
"You have got one rugby nation - the United States - who have gone bankrupt, we've got Australia on the brink, we know England have got a financial crisis... everybody will have, because you are not getting paid the TV rights and those are what makes the game go round.
"The game is in financial crisis. People are struggling, so I think anything that allows us to create some income to support the game is important."
New Zealand Rugby isn't exempt from the global economic downfall that is set to ensue from the coronavirus outbreak, with the organisation bracing for a $25 million loss this year.
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Can we also show some love for Tane Edmed’s fantastic draw and pass? Put his body on the line and committed the defender before letting go of that pass. Flawless skill.
Go to commentsYou forget this is Rassie Erasmus who is still holding the Springbok keys. Even with Felix Jones orchestrating a really tight RWC SF last year. It still wasn't enough to get England past their particular Springbok Monkey in world cups. The reason is FJ was going off of what they did in 2019 not necessarily adapting to current Springboks. So yes, Australia can get passed England because let's be honest, England have a one track strategy, Springboks do not. Even with rush defense I wouldn't be surprised if Rassie continually tweaks it. Also bear in mind Rassie is happy to sacrifice a few mid year and inter World Cup matches to pin point how opposition plays and how to again tweak strategies to get his Springboks in peak performance for the next World Cup. As much as most teams like to win games in front of them and try to win everything, Rassie always makes sure to learn and train for the greatest showdown International Rugby has to offer. Tbh, most people remember World Cup wins and ignore intermediate losses as a result but will remember also WC losses, Ireland, even if they won games in the interim. So even if games are won against the Springboks, it's likely Rassie is just getting a feel for how opposition is moving and adapt accordingly…in time. For Rassie, a loss is never a loss because he uses it as a chance to learn and improve. Sometimes during a game, again like the England match in last year's Semi Final.
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