'I'm disappointed': The real reason Hansen got fired up over ABs claim
By Patrick McKendry, NZ Herald
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has appeared properly annoyed in front of the media only once over the last few months and it had nothing to do with his side being thrashed by the Wallabies in Perth or even the recent accusations from Boks rival Rassie Erasmus that referees naturally favour New Zealand.
It was the suggestion that All Blacks skipper and No 8 Kieran Read isn’t playing well, a narrative that took hold among some sections of the media despite Read’s powerhouse defensive performances against the Wallabies over the preceding few weeks.
Hansen’s feelings were made clear via a reporter’s question to Read following the All Blacks’ warm-up win over Tonga in Hamilton a couple of weeks ago.
Hansen, sitting alongside his captain, conspicuously rolled his eyes as Read was asked about his recent form, and, asked to explain his reaction, replied: “I’m just pretty disappointed with some of the questions you’re asking.
“Most of them you could answer yourself. Ask us something that we can actually talk about that would be invigorating for the fans to read.”
The specific reason for his annoyance was left unsaid, but it was without doubt centred on the implied criticism of Read.
There’s no doubt Read’s role has changed over the past few years from a wide-ranging link man to a more direct and central character at the breakdown – both with and without the ball. But that’s hardly surprising given the evolution of the All Blacks’ game plan, and the establishment of Ardie Savea in the loose forward trio alongside Sam Cane has probably cemented it further.
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With Savea capable of footing it with midfielders and outside backs in terms of pace and finishing ability it follows that Read will play a different game.
Against the Wallabies in Perth he made 22 tackles as he and his side chased the game in Scott Barrett’s absence due to a red card, and seven days later Read’s defence was defined by a brutality perhaps not seen on a consistent basis since Jerome Kaino moved on four years ago. He seriously rattled some bones and the Wallabies were rattled mentally as a result.
Read hasn’t suddenly turned into an “enforcer” type player like Kaino was but he nevertheless plays a massive role in leading the defensive effort and that is likely to be crucial against a giant Springboks pack in Yokohama as the All Blacks kick off their World Cup defence.
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“It is probably the first time I’ve been the biggest loose forward starting, but it’s across the board that we have to be physical against this South African team,” Read said in Tokyo. “I pride myself on my defence and making sure I’m leading that as much as I can. But as I said, it’s got to come across our whole team. We know when we’re all on it tends to work out for us.
“It’s going to be a massive game. The South Africans are going to be well and truly up for it so we can’t wait for it.
“South Africa in the opening game of a World Cup is going to be one of the bigger games of your career so I’m really looking forward to that.”
Marking Read, a 33-year-old 122-test veteran in his final weeks of his All Blacks career, will be Duane Vermeulen, a large and explosive No 8 about to win his 50th cap for the Boks.
“I thought I’d probably played 50 against him myself,” Read said of his opposite. “It’s surprising – I thought he’d played more. He’s a top bloke and a very aggressive man and just loves to carry and tackle hard. I enjoy that challenge.”
This article first appeared on nzherald.co.nz and was republished with permission.
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Comments on RugbyPass
Bar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
9 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
35 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
2 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
35 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
49 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
35 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
35 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
35 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
35 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to commentsChances of Blackadder being injured seem too high to give him serious consideration. ABs loosie combination finally looked good with 2 committed to tackling and clearing rucks in the centre and Ardie roaming. Hoskins/Ardie together would force one of them into where they don’t excel and don’t get to use their talent, or require a change in tactics. If we continue to evolve last years systems I would take Papali’i and Finau at 6 and 7 (conceding that Blackadder will be injured) and Ardie at 8.
35 Go to commentsArdie’s preferred position 7? Where do they get these writers from? I've no idea where he's playing in Japan, but the previous two seasons he wore the 7 jersey exactly twice.
18 Go to comments