THE GIFT THAT KEPT GIVING
BEAUDEN BARRETT Caps under Hansen: 82
Barrett was selected in 2012 by Hansen as a 20-year-old with huge promise. He spent most of his first four years as an impact player, typically coming o the bench at fullback.
But in 2016 he won the starting role at No 10 and established himself as arguably the greatest attacking No 10 the world has seen.
Blessed with incredible speed, Barrett could hurt any defence when he ran at it and also developed a vast array of kick and catch skills that made him the one player every team made a plan to stop.
Twice named world player of the year – 2016 and 2017 – he was the world’s most consistent first-five in the 2019 World Cup cycle.
AARON CRUDEN Caps Under Hansen: 41
Was first capped under Graham Henry in 2010 but didn’t become an All Blacks regular until 2012.
Hansen regularly picked him to start in the 2012-2015 World Cup cycle and in that period, Cruden developed into one of the world’s best first-fives.
Was a clever runner who could o load in heavy trac and play others into holes. Improved his kicking game under Hansen and his tactical control was excellent by the time he signed o in 2016.
DAN CARTER Caps Under Hansen: 27
Began Hansen’s reign as the undisputed best first-five in world rugby and maybe the best there had ever been.
But despite being in his late 20s in 2012, Carter didn’t regress. Hansen motivated him to be even better and the maestro was named world player of the year in both 2012 and 2015.
His performances at the 2015 World Cup were among the best of his career. He’d missed much of 2014 with injury but bounced back when it mattered, controlling big games with his tactical vision and goal-kicking.
LIMA SOPOAGA Caps Under Hansen: 16
Won a start against the Boks at Ellis Park in 2015 which in itself showed the esteem in which he was held.
Recognised as one of the more astute tactical directors and was an under-rated runner. Was developing into a strong test player when he opted to leave for the UK.
RICHIE MO’UNGA Cap Under Hansen: 16
Brought into the side as a promising 24-year-old in 2018, Richie Mo’unga became a bench regular in no time and a year later a starter.
He was good enough to displace the best No 10 in the world and that kind of said everything about his qualities.
Can do it all and is an excellent pressure goal-kicker. Has the potential to be an All Blacks great.