Aussie media: ABS team naming ‘ruthless’

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has been painted as a ruthless drillmaster across the Tasman for his ‘‘veterans cull’’.

Hansen’s 31-man All Blacks squad, named yesterday, to contest the Rugby World Cup in Japan has been described as a ‘‘major bombshell’’ by some sections of the Australian media.

A headline in The Australian read ‘‘SBW survives Hansen’s veterans cull’’.

Veteran prop Owen Franks was the shock omission from Hansen’s squad. The 108-test tighthead prop has been the anchor of the All Blacks scrum for most of the last decade since making his debut in 2009.

‘‘All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has cast aside a 108-test veteran in favour of a pair of players with nine tests between them,’’ The Australian said.

Nepo Laulala, Angus Ta’avao and the versatile Atu Moli have been selected ahead of Franks. Liam Squire, Ngani Laumape and Jackson Hemopo were other notable absentees from the squad but hardly come under the veteran category and loose forward Luke Jacobson was the surprise inclusion.

‘‘ALL BL-AXED: 144 caps gone as ruthless NZ run a knife through World Cup squad,’’ was Fox Sports’ headline.

‘‘Sentimentality has been cast aside in the name of speed as veteran prop Owen Franks was omitted. Hansen has leaned on youth and mobility in some of his more contestable selections,’’ the Fox Sports story read.

Fox Sports also said it was ‘‘a surprise’’ Hansen had named three opensides in his squad.

The Sydney Morning Herald

said ‘‘Hansen dropped a major bombshell’’ by leaving out Franks and was ‘‘selecting more mobile props as he signalled an intent to play an up-tempo game in Japan’’.

The Daily Telegraph said Sonny Bill Williams was set to chase a third Rugby World Cup crown after being named in All Blacks squad.

‘‘Veteran code hopper Sonny Bill Williams has been included in New Zealand’s 31-man squad for the Rugby World Cup,’’ The Daily

story read.