Hansen praises pair of World Cup hopefuls as All Blacks selection begins to heat up
All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen has admitted that it’s business time for players hopeful of securing a spot in New Zealand’s World Cup squad later this year.
With just four rounds left in the Super Rugby regular season, there is minimal time remaining for players to impress the All Blacks selectors as the race for selection in the final 31-man squad heats up.
Plenty of previously unheralded players from across the country have established themselves as potential candidates for a World Cup call-up, with the likes of Crusaders wing Sevu Reece and Blues loose forward Tom Robinson impressing onlookers with standout performances in their rookie campaigns.
While acknowledging that the incumbent All Blacks still stand as frontrunners to make the squad, Hansen said that the door is still open to players not involved within the national set-up.
“The All Blacks are starting to come to the fore and play really well,” Hansen told reporters at the All Blacks ‘foundation day’ camp held in Auckland.
“But you also have some young guys that we are starting to notice, so those guys aren’t doing themselves any harm either.
“But it’s the next few weeks that are the most important, so that’s the time we start watching individuals rather than the games themselves.”
The outstanding performances of one-test Chiefs halfback Brad Weber and young Highlanders first-five Josh Ioane in Super Rugby was enough to warrant mention from Hansen, but the 60-year-old was quick play down the credentials of Ioane, who has emerged as a leading candidate to act as the back-up playmaker to Beauden Barrett and Richie Mo’unga in the absence of the injured Damian McKenzie.
“You don’t want to put too much pressure on these kids you know,” Hansen said.
“Every 10 in the country, outside of Beauden [Barrett] and Richie [Mo’unga] is probably thinking they are a chance.
“They don’t need me talking them up, just let them go and play and we will make the decision based on what we see.”
Weber has enjoyed a rich vein of form this season, asserting himself as the Chiefs’ primary option at halfback ahead of three-test teammate Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, who made his international debut last year.
As a result, Weber, who has not played for the All Blacks since making his test debut against Samoa in 2015, appears to have usurped Tahuriorangi as the third-choice halfback in the national pecking order behind veterans Aaron Smith and TJ Perenara.
Crusaders duo Bryn Hall and Mitchell Drummond also have cases for inclusion in the All Blacks, but Weber’s form is something that Hansen has taken note of.
“Brad’s playing really well and that’s why Te Toiroa isn’t getting too many minutes,” Hansen said.
“Brad is leading the Chiefs well and Te Toiroa has come back from his offseason probably not in the shape he should have been in, but Brad’s taken every opportunity he has been given.
“That excites me. It’s a bit of a double-edged sword really.”
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Comments on RugbyPass
Mark Telea is a lot of things, but a defensive juggernaut has never been one of them. There will be far bigger tests in that regard for the youngster.
9 Go to commentsLove and respect to Fiji but not a chance outside of 7s
3 Go to commentsGood summation Ned. Agree the Canes were out-muscled for once (except at the scrum!) by a focused Brumbies outfit. Tua deserves consideration for higher honors after the way he humbled Jordie and the Canes defense. Thankfully, his lack of eligibility for Oz keeps him from Joe’s plans. While I also agree the injuries affected the Canes performance, some players seemed to lack focus and intensity for this match. Perhaps after the Blues demolished the Brumbies, they thought it was going to be easy? A good reminder that any slip up in preparation can have a big affect on the result. Brumbies deserved that win.
1 Go to commentsKarl Dixon should never have been appointed this fixture, absolute disgrace, He’s not much of a referee anyway, didn't have the balls to send his mate care off
5 Go to commentsBrilliant article! Harry of 8/9
1 Go to comments‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
1 Go to commentsIt’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
23 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
23 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
45 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
5 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
45 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
45 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
5 Go to commentsLet’s not forget about Ardie Savea just yet.
9 Go to commentsThe URC and the Euro Championscup can’t run at the same time, basically dilutes both competitions.
2 Go to comments