Drawn Lions series has made us stronger: Hansen
speed either,’’ Hansen added. ‘‘It’s a difficult thing to deal with. Your traditional depth and timing is challenged. The more we start using it down here, the better we’ll get executing against it. It doesn’t mean you can’t beat it. You’ve just got to give yourself the opportunity through execution.’’
The All Blacks weren’t all bad against the Lions. Their scrum was outstanding and continues to be a major weapon. The breakdown work was mostly positive. The lineout had a miscue or two, but by the third test they had adjusted to the lack of policing around the requisite gap by going quick. Like the line-speed, it was about thinking on the fly.
Their attack was largely blunted, though they still finished three crisp tries in the opening test, and should have at least doubled the two five-pointers they converted in the third, but for some inexplicable handling lapses. They also chewed through some players in midfield and the back three, but Hansen now knows more about Anton Lienert-Brown, Rieko Ioane, Ngani
Throughout this series, both with his goalkicking and direction of the game, he [Beauden Barrett] was put under pressure. But he’ll be better in both those departments going forward. Steve Hansen
Laumape and Jordie Barrett in the pressure-cooker.
The coach sees no hangover with Sonny Bill Williams postsuspension either.
‘‘A lot of people love him or hate him, but every time he plays for us he gets better and better,’’ Hansen said. ‘‘The last World Cup he was outstanding. The first test he played really well and we didn’t see enough of him in the second to make any judgment. He’s learnt a harsh lesson about having to use his arms.’’
Hansen also firmly believes Beauden Barrett will be the better for his first major challenge since assuming the No 10 role.
There is no panic about a goalkicking miss or two over the back end of the series, with a technical issue around his plant foot already identified.
‘‘Throughout this series, both with his goalkicking and direction of the game, he was put under pressure. But he’ll be better in both those departments going forward.
‘‘We created opportunities against the best defensive system in the world, but because we didn’t execute, we didn’t maximise those chances. We haven’t lost many games, so to lose one, and draw the next, that’s painful. But we’ll come out of it stronger.
‘‘There’s always going to be a roadbump or two in any team’s lifespan. In 2007 we had a major one. The Lions series isn’t an ‘07 roadbump, but it’s a big enough one to challenge us to get better at some areas of our game. We’ll do that.’’
The Wallabies have been warned. The Boks too.