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'We're not judged by social media' Hansen stamps out suggestions of All Blacks' foul play after images circulate

By Online Editors
Willie le Roux of South Africa argues with Anton Lienert-Brown and Samuel Whitelock of New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has stamped out suggestions of All Blacks’ foul play, telling media on Tuesday that ‘you can get shots of anything if you want’ if you look hard enough.

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The World Cup-winning coach says he doesn’t take much notice of what is doing the rounds on social media following games. Hansen believes in a ‘staunch’ judicial system that doesn’t take issues lightly.

“I don’t take much notice of it. You can get shots of anything if you want.

“There’s a judicial system that’s been in place for a long time and whether you like it or not, they’ve been pretty staunch on what they’re about so if it gets past those guys, then move on. We’re not judged by social media.”

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Hansen explained that both teams have the chance to submit evidence to a citing commissioner following a game.

“Fiji didn’t have to go via social media to go to the Judicial Committee (after the Australia match).

“You get asked every game regarding anything you want to put up and if you feel like you’ve got something to put up, you put it up. South Africa obviously didn’t feel like they had anything and we didn’t have anything and the citing commissioner didn’t see anything.

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Social media is part of our society and I can’t worry about that. Worry about the stuff you can control. What people put on social media doesn’t bother me a hoot.”

On the pitch, Hansen has noticed just how tight defences are so far, describing defence as ‘king’ until someone finds a way to change that recipe.

“Defence is the big winner at the moment, isn’t it. Line speed, everyone’s bringing it. Georgia, apart from a couple of set-piece tries, really took it to Wales defensively. That’s where our game is at the moment. Defence is king, dominating the game.

“Hopefully, it’s cyclical; defence will dominate until someone finds a recipe to change that and then attack will come back.”

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Hansen has been impressed by what he has seen from the strongest of the Northern Hemisphere teams so far who seem motivated to find a better return than 2015 where none made it past the quarterfinals.

“We all know that they’re in good shape, don’t we?

“They’re playing well, they’ve got a good thing going up in the Northern Hemisphere where they’re competing against each other and are striving to raise the bar all the time.

“That’s a hangover from the last World Cup where they all failed, so the pressure’s on for them to get better and they’ve done that. But now they’re here and the pressure’s on for them to show how well they’ve done and they’ve got off to a good start. They’re getting better right across the park.”

After an opening-round win over South Africa, the All Blacks sit comfortably atop Pool B but know they will have to improve if they want to win three straight Rugby World Cups.

“We’re pretty happy with it but at the end of the day, it’s not a finished job, we’re going have to play better than that if we want to win this tournament. And that would be the same statement from all the teams that have played and won.

“We’ve seen good performances from Ireland, England and Wales and Australia came from behind to beat a really good Fijian performance.

Eddie Jones after England’s win over Tonga:

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Trevor 29 minutes ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

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B
Bull Shark 4 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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