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'It's usually the younger guys who are a bit less smarter with their ability to' - Hansen
By Ben Spratt
Steve Hansen has guarded against complacency and called on New Zealand to attack their Bledisloe Cup opener next week.
The All Blacks face Australia in Sydney on Saturday, looking to defend a trophy they have won every year since 2003.
But head coach Hansen has warned his side that they cannot expect a straightforward series, with even a win next weekend not enough to allow New Zealand to relax.
"We've just got to go and re-capture the Bledisloe Cup and the attitude has to be to take it rather than expect it to happen," he said.
"We've got a lot of pride about what's been done in the past but, at the same time, you've got to go and earn it, earn the right to put a hand on it.
"Even if we win this week, it doesn't mean we've won it [the trophy]."
The All Blacks have several members of the Crusaders' Super Rugby-winning side in their squad, but Hansen is pleased with the way they have focused on the task at hand since the celebrations subsided.
"It took a couple of days for them to get over their celebrations," Hansen said. "One or two guys were a bit slower than others.
"It's usually the younger guys who are a bit less smarter with their ability to [recuperate].
"They've been good. The leaders from the Crusaders have been outstanding really and the younger boys have picked up. By Saturday, everyone was on the same page."
Nehe Milner-Skudder and Sonny Bill Williams have not travelled to Australia for the first clash of the series.
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Latest Comments
Not upset, just amused at you going on about saucing. Maybe you should stick to soccer. Your comments dont matter, I was merely trying to help you to stop proving you ate a fool. Cheers from SA, the home of the mighty Springboks. By the way, liverpool deserves a better quality of supporter.
Go to commentsThat absolute BS, when did you come up with this idea?
All three were well on track to being All Blacks. They simply decided it was smarter to take the money right now rather than slog on for another 3 or 4 years waiting for their opportunity to line up.
Many AB quality players have not even got the chance to earn a cap for heavens sake, it is simply as you suggest elsewhere, better utilization of global talent to have them qualify for another nation.
The only problem is that the ABs get all the best players, mostly because they pay more, and the island nations, even the home nations, just get those that can't make it or want a bit more limelight.
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