Hansen sees real value in test

Forget the ‘‘devaluing’’ the jersey debate, there might just now be a legitimate test match on the menu in Japan tonight.

Had All Blacks coach Steve Hansen wheeled out his strongest 23 to tackle the Brave Blossoms in Tokyo, there’s every chance it would have quickly become a bath.

It still could. However, with eight uncapped players on the verge of a debut, and an improving Japanese outfit laying in wait, you can bank on Japan coach Jamie Joseph sniffing an ambush.

The bookies don’t see it that way, suspending betting on the men in black, while offering more than $20 for what would be a momentous upset.

Hansen, who has shipped 23 frontline All Blacks to London to begin preparing for England next Sunday morning (NZT), is fielding the least experienced (178 caps) New Zealand test side in 32 years, drawing flak from both home and abroad.

Having defended the mammoth 51-man squad since it was named last month, Hansen quickly dismissed the criticism as ‘‘nonsense’’, before focusing on the task at hand against Joseph and his two Kiwi assistants, former Highlanders coach Tony Brown and Hurricanes coach John Plumtree.

Among other things, that includes getting his first look at hooker Dane Coles in a black jersey in almost a year, he wants to get a gauge on his new All Blacks.

That starts with openside flanker Dalton Papalii, and centre Matt Proctor, while six more will get a chance when Hansen turns to his bench.

There’s also a second look at Richie Mo’unga (five caps) in the No 10 jersey, another chance for Jordie Barrett (seven caps) at fullback, while Luke Whitelock (six caps) will become the 70th All Blacks captain.

‘‘We’re winning everywhere, really, when you think about it. We’re giving some guys really valuable experiences, we get to see whether they can cope,’’ Hansen said.

‘‘The expectation is they play and play well. That puts a bit of pressure on them, and you can see how they perform under that pressure, which then gives you, going forward, an opportunity to make really sound judgments in the selections that are coming up next year.’’

Papalii, a bolter into Hansen’s primary 32-man squad for the bulk of the northern tour, said nothing had changed because the All Blacks were fielding a vastly different side to the one fans are accustomed to.

‘‘At the end of the day, there’s a standard the All Blacks have and every time you go into this environment, you expect to play well. It’s a first time, it’s a special occasion, but standards don’t change.’’

Tonight’s test at Ajinomoto Stadium, which has a capacity of 49,000 and will host eight matches during next year’s World Cup, marks just the fourth test between the countries, and the first since the All Blacks’ 54-6 win in Tokyo in 2013.

Japan have improved in leaps and bounds since then. Nobody needs reminding of their South African scalp at the last World Cup, while they’ve also beaten Italy and drawn with France.

Former All Black Joseph will be joined by Brown (attack coach) and Plumtree, who has been in charge of their defence the past year, in the coaching box.

Hansen knows all three well, and has no doubt Japan will attempt to blitz them with an ultra-fast, ‘‘hit and run’’ style attack.

‘‘They’ll take quick taps and, with Browny coaching them, they’ll come with with a few tricks. He’s innovative and, at the same time, they’ll do the basics well because Jamie is strong on that.

‘‘It’s never a hindrance knowing somebody, it’s always nice knowing them. But at the same time, never get comfortable thinking you know everything about them. [All Blacks defence coach Scott Mcleod] has probably coached the most with those guys and knows them well.’’

That said, with little time to prepare an inexperienced group for a test match, Hansen said the coaching staff had been wary not to overload them with information.

There was also a message for his bundle of uncapped players who, minus Papalii, will return home after the test.

‘‘Trust your instincts. The reason you’ve been selected for the All Blacks in the first place is because you’re a good rugby player,’’ he said. ‘‘Whatever they see, trust what they think they should do and go out and do it. Don’t over-think it.’’

‘‘We’re winning everywhere, really, when you think about it. We’re giving some guys really valuable experiences.’’

Steve Hansen