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Big Kiwi signing helps Newcastle Red Bulls to Challenge Cup win
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'Not good enough': All Blacks assistant coach admits poor performance
By Henry Lee
Moments have been a common word in and around All Blacks camp in the past couple of weeks, with Scott Robertson’s side managing to win games in the final 20 minutes through some individual brilliance by the likes of Damian McKenzie.
But this time around against England at Allianz Stadium in London, it was Steve Borthwick’s England side who took their opportunities to take a famous victory over the All Blacks, to end the hopes of a Grand Slam for the Kiwis.
All Blacks assistant coach Scott Hansen, who spoke to Sky Sport after the England defeat, admits that it just wasn’t good enough from his side.
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“Disappointed tonight, on our efforts and our actions, but not good enough tonight,” Hansen said to Sky Sport.
“They went to the air when they needed to, they’re very composed, very disciplined in what they did and we didn’t quite get those battles the way we needed to at times. A lot of players going backwards, and not always having eyes on the ball.
“And they won some of those scraps, that compromised our momentum at times. In the first half, when we showed some composure and we got our shoulders through, we had some good opportunities in attack but all credit to England.
“England defended really well, spread the field, and we didn’t always make the right decision on our attack, whether or not we had to go through them or around them.”
The All Blacks will now head to Cardiff to take on Wales who are coming off the back of their first victory at home in over two years, while Robertson’s side will now be looking to finish their end-of-year Northern Tour with a bounce-back victory.
For Hansen, he believes that it’s important that the team focus on what they did well during the England Test, as well as identifying the areas where they struggled ahead of Wales.
“I think for us just getting back, acknowledging what we did is important, but fundamentally for us, how we attacked and got caught in the middle of the field tonight, we’re able to take the opportunities in front. So there’ll be some good pictures for us to learn from.
“I think we need to focus on the week. It’s really important not to pass it in any regards, you focus on the week because it’s important for us. Now, we always knew it was either going to be one where we’re going for a Grand Slam, or we we need to bounce back aggressively, and that’s going to be the focus for the week.”
