Hansen’s warning to Lions
"There will be a massive expectation on them." Steve Hansen on the Lions
All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen is raising the pressure on the British and Irish Lions by questioning whether they will be able to deal with the expectation that will surround them on their tour of New Zealand.
Hansen has raised the possibility that Warren Gatland, his opposite number, could struggle to maintain harmony within his squad once test selections are made.
Labelling the Lions squad ‘‘the strongest that I have seen in a long time’’, Hansen said he believed they had an enormous amount to do to cope with what awaits them in New Zealand - principally the yearning for success among the 20,000 Lions fans expected to travel.
As Hansen pointed out, the All Blacks are used to delivering against expectancy, more so than any other team.
‘‘The Lions would be foolish to think that there’s not an expectation there for them to do well,’’ Hansen said.
‘‘There will be a massive expectation on them. If you’re a Lions fan, you’d look at it and say, ‘We’ve got four countries going into one against the opposition, we should be able to beat these blokes’. That is an expectation to be dealt with.
‘‘We have our own expectations. People expect us to win, too. We don’t get to avoid it. But it’s something that we live with all the time. And have had to learn to deal with. And the Lions will have to learn to deal with it. And I’m not sure [how and if they can deal with it].
‘‘Each team has its own unique way of dealing with it. My point is that 20,000 will be coming out with a massive expectation. Yes, they want to see good rugby but they also want to see the Lions win.’’
Hansen affected to make the Lions favourites, even though they have only ever won one series in New Zealand, widely considered the toughest country to tour, in part because of the grip rugby has on the national psyche - the 1971 side coached by Carwyn James and inspired by Gareth Edwards and Barry John. Indeed, the tourists have won only five series against anyone, the last under Gatland in Australian in 2013.
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