Steve Hansen reveals there are plenty of contenders for All Blacks spots
NZ Herald
Steve Hansen has revealed that there could be some new and returning faces in the All Blacks‘ Rugby World Cup squad.
In an interview with Radio Sport’s Jim Kayes, Hansen acknowledged that rising Crusaders star Braydon Ennor has forced his way into the selection mix, in what will be a toughly contested battle for the midfield spots.
Hansen said there were eight midfield back options, including Ennor and Matt Proctor, chasing four positions. He also hinted that outstanding lock Scott Barrett was an option to be used as a blindside flanker.
With Hansen revealing that Damian McKenzie had been in line to cover halfback behind Aaron Smith and TJ Perenara before his untimely injury, he pointed out that Chiefs halfback Brad Weber had forced his way into the selection discussion as the potential third halfback. Weber has been keeping All Black fringe halfback Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi out of the Chiefs starting lineup.
But Hansen also noted that Tahuriorangi had struggled to get a start for the Chiefs last year, when he was promoted by the All Black selectors.
Hansen said Scott Barrett was “a lock who can play six – he did a very good job against South Africa at North Harbour when Liam Squire had to come off.
“He’s playing some wonderful football at the moment. He can play at lock or at six…(but) I’m not coming on the radio today saying we’re picking him at six or lock.”
On whether they take two or three specialist first five-eighths, Hansen said: “You have to ask yourself do we have anyone else in the team who could possibly play against Namibia or Canada, which are lesser games rather than having someone (a third No 10) sitting there taking up a spot.”
This would appear to be a nod towards Jordie Barrett acting as No 10 cover.
Hansen said any rugby follower could name the first 25 players in the World Cup squad. The selectors had not made up their mind on the positional makeup in some areas because there was no need to yet.
“There is no point in committing ourselves to one way or the other at this point,” he said.
He added: “Everyone has got an opinion. We’ve got to make sure we don’t get bombarded by everybody else, do our homework, and make sure we are doing the right thing for the team.”
Hansen also argued that fears about the number of injured All Blacks have been overhyped, saying that all of the World Cup contenders bar McKenzie would be in action before the World Cup squad was named.
“There’s no point panicking, either they are injured or they are not,” said Hansen.
“At the moment there are a number of people who aren’t available to play Super Rugby. But when you look at the list, just about all of those players will be back at some point in the Super competition.
“We are well informed, a lot more so than the public. I’m not nervous, just waiting to see how they come back.
“Most of the guys have played a lot of rugby for the All Blacks – you know they can play to a high standard.
“We just hope they get back in time to get the fitness and possibly show us some form during the latter part of the (Super Rugby) competition.
“I understand the nervousness but the fans are smart enough (to know) most of these guys will be back in time.
“Let’s not dwell on that injuries now. We’ll probably get someone else along the way but that’s the nature of our game.”
On the positive side, Hansen said Waisake Naholo had made a decent return for the Highlanders. Liam Squire and Dane Coles were also on the way back through club rugby.
This article first appeared on nzherald.co.nz and is republished with permission.
Comments on RugbyPass
Beautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
30 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
30 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
30 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to commentsBen Smith Springboks living rent free in his head 😊😂
67 Go to commentsGood to hear he would like to play the game at the highest level, I hadn’t been to sure how much of a motivator that was before now. Sadly he’s probably chosen the rugby club to go to. Try not to worry about all the input about how you should play rugby Joey and just try to emulate what you do on the league field and have fun. You’ll limit your game too much (well not really because he’s a standard athlete like SBW and he’ll still have enough) if you’re trying to make sure you can recycle the ball back etc. On the other hard, you can totally just try and recycle by looking to offload any and everywhere if you’re going to ground 😋
1 Go to commentsThis just proves that theres always a stat and a metric to use to justify your abilities and your success. Ben did it last week by creating an imaginary competition and now you did the same to counter his argument and espouse a new yardstick for success. Why not just use the current one and lets say the Boks have won 4 world cups making them the most successful world cup team. Outside of the world cup the All Blacks are the most successful team winning countless rugby championships and dominating the rankings with high win percentages. Over the last 4 years statistically the Irish are the best having the highest win rate and also having positive records against every tier 1 side. The most successful Northern team in the game has been England with a world cup title and the most six nations titles in history. The AB’s are the most dominant team in history with the highest win rate and 3 world cups. Lets not try to reinvent the wheel. Just be honest about the actual stats and what each team has been good at doing and that will be enough to define their level of success.
30 Go to commentsHow is 7’s played there? I’m surprised 10 or 11 man rugby hasn’t taken off. 7 just doesn’t fit the 15s dynamics (rules n field etc) but these other versions do.
9 Go to comments