Hansen: Gatland won’t have epiphany

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen says he’s confident he knows just how Warren Gatland will want the Lions to play in the three-test series.

As the Lions are en route to New Zealand, Hansen has told the Times in the UK he believes they will be predictable in how they play and doesn’t feel coach Warren Gatland will have an epiphany.

‘‘We’ve got a thing we call ABCS of rugby - Assume some things, Believe nothing until we Confirm them,’’ Hansen told the Times.

‘‘We assume Warren’s not going to have an epiphany and change the way he plays but we’re only assuming that, we’re not believing it until we see them play and, with a tour, you do get to see the opposition play a bit, so we’ll be able to confirm one or two things prior to that first test.’’

Warren Gatland is one of the best coaches in the world when it comes to trying to play mind games before a big test.

It’s something Hansen doesn’t usually get involved in, but when it comes to a Lions series, he’s not averse to fighting fire with fire.

He has hit back at Gatland’s comments that New Zealand rugby fans are arrogant.

‘‘Our fans are pretty well educated and even though Gats has called them arrogant,’’ Hansen said. ‘‘I don’t think they are arrogant, I think they are well informed and have high expectations of us. And they know that this Lions squad is one of the best to have been picked for a long, long time.

‘‘The Lions have got a lot of expectation of their own - 30,000 people are coming out to support them and they are coming out in expectation of their team playing really well and winning the series.’’

An area where the Lions may have the edge over the All Blacks is goal kicking. Hansen acknowledged they have a number of world-class goalkickers, but doesn’t believe the All Blacks will be at a disadvantage and isn’t concerned that Beauden Barrett isn’t the main goalkicker at the Hurricanes.

‘‘There’s no doubt they have got great goalkickers, but on the park, only one of them can kick,’’ he said. ‘‘Now, pressure is a funny thing and I know our guys have lived under that pressure for a long time. And while they might not have the stats to match, I believe and have faith they’ll kick the ones that matter.’’