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'While people at home will be wondering why they dropped a few balls, it's very, very difficult' - Hansen explains why All Blacks didn't score in final quarter
New Zealand coach Steve Hansen was typically conservative in praise of his side after their crushing 63-0 World Cup win against Canada.
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The All Blacks, bidding for a record three successive World Cup crowns, ruthlessly exposed Canada’s shortcomings in Oita to run in eight tries and a penalty try to win 63-0. Although the cue was put away early as the All Blacks failed to convert multiple opportunities in the final 20-minutes that could have put up a cricket score.
“It was a pretty good performance when you break it down, particularly the first part of that second half when they really came together and played good, controlled rugby,” Hanson said in his post-match interview.
“It was really difficult conditions. The humidity is unbelievable and while people at home will be wondering why they dropped a few balls, it’s very, very difficult, so I think they’ve done well.”
The Barrett brothers, Beauden, Jordie and Scott, all touched down on the day they became the first trio of brothers to appear for their country at a World Cup.
Beauden Barrett was cruising towards his second try on the last play of the game before the ball popped loss as he tried to change hands, while brother Scott blew a try by knocking on over the line in the first half.
Beauden explained the situation during his post-match interview.
“The running just happened as if it was in slow motion. It was like I was on a treadmill. I’m glad it was 79th minute and not the first minute or I’d be asking myself some questions. It was pretty exhausting out there,” he said.
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He said Scott’s faux pas was ‘pretty funny’ but at the end of the day, you just have to laugh.
“I had a laugh a bit sooner than half-time – pretty much straight away. It was pretty funny. Even my one at the end, you just have to laugh. It was just one of those things – embarrassing but funny.”
“The humidity makes you sweat and the slipperiest ball is a sweat-covered one. That’s why you saw a few errors,” he explained.
After an early penalty try, awarded after skipper Kieran Read had dived over from a five-metre scrum, Jordie Barrett, Sonny Bill Williams and Beauden Barrett all went over in the first half.
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Further tries in the second period from Rieko Ioane, Scott Barrett, Shannon Frizzell and replacement scrum-half Brad Weber’s brace completed the rout, while imperious fly-half Richie Mo’unga was successful with all eight of his conversion attempts.
Centre Williams was central to most of New Zealand’s attacking flair after being named as one of 11 changes from the opening 23-13 win against South Africa.
“He’s always been pushing,” Hansen said. “We’re very blessed in the midfield with the talent that we’ve got and of course (centre) Ngani (Laumape) is at home still. So we’re very blessed and it’s good to have people in form.”
When asked what his side could improve on, Hansen added: “The first 20 minutes of the second half, we’ve got to turn that into 80 minutes and if we can do that we won’t be too far away.”
Canada head coach Kingsley Jones, whose side lost their opening Pool B match 48-7 to Italy, was full of praise for his players.
“I’m really proud of the guys,” Jones said. “I thought the way they stuck in there, you know we had big chunks of the game where we were really in it.
“They showed true Canadian grit. Every one of them can look in the mirror and be proud of their performance.
“Other times, I’m admiring the All blacks’ accuracy, skill, speed and the bottom line is collisions – the speed and power that they can deliver at times.
“It really causes big problems and after that it’s difficult to deal with and difficult to defend.”
Farrell wants Ireland to learn from England:
Comments on RugbyPass
“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
11 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
9 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
9 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
17 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
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