Looking inside the head of Hansen . . .
Four years of endless debate, and remarkable changes to the All Black lineup, are about to end as Steve Hansen reveals his top combination for the sudden death games. So which way will he jump? We try to get inside Big Steve Hansen’s head.
Beauden Barrett Well that’s easy enough. The hybrid fullback/pivot is a genius. Sevu Reece Made right wing his own thanks to extreme speed off the mark. Very glad I turned his life around, Hansen will be thinking.
Jack Goodhue The natural fit to go alongside the in-form Anton Lienert-Brown, although Goodhue is not in peak form. Hansen will revert to his natural inclination over what is a good
combination rather than trying to break all the choices down into little pieces.
Anton Lienert-Brown Surely an automatic choice at 12 or 13, he’s playing that well. Huge work rate and wonderful skill. But you couldn’t blame the boss for being woken in the middle of the night by visions of Ryan Crotty’s smart game.
George Bridge Has everything apart from overwhelming power.
Richie Mo’unga The twin pivot combo with Beauden Barrett is something other teams would die for. Best goalkicking option.
Aaron Smith Quick delivery still vital. One of the great selections in Hansen’s career.
Kieran Read (c) Automatic of course. Outstanding in the trenches, and lineouts.
Sam Cane Don’t leave home without one of these — he’s no Richie McCaw, Hansen will feel, but still a man for test warfare.
Ardie Savea The people’s favourite, and the
selectors’ as well thanks to his amazing bursts of energy.
Sam Whitelock Automatic. Superb in the air, still decent on the ground. Coaches love players like Whitelock, a leader.
Brodie Retallick Automatic if fit in everybody’s world.
Nepo Laulala Seems to have made the starting tighthead position his own, but not great around the field, Hansen will still feel a bit for Owie (Franks).
Dane Coles His peak is in the past, but still has X-factor.
Joe Moody Automatic — set piece experience and good work rate on defence. Might be worth a little speech though — no low (high) blows please Joe.
Reserves Codie Taylor Not at 2018 form but terrific bench hooker. Hansen will forever relish the way Taylor deputised for Coles last year. Ofa Tuungafasi
Great driving defender. Big body.
Plays both sides . . . which proved very handy after loosehead Karl Tu’inukuafe was struck by illness.
Angus Ta’avao Amazing athlete. Might be worth a start. Hansen did spot the possibilities late, but the boss also knows Ta’avao was a self starter in keeping his career going despite the doubters.
Scott Barrett Automatic in the match day 23 — but where? Could also end up starting at lock or No 6. Hansen developed a gem here.
Shannon Frizell A conundrum to match the midfield for the boss — a bit of a sleep buster. He may go for Matt Todd’s reliability and experience under pressure, although the pack starts to look a bit small with him there. Hansen threw Shannon Frizell — a superb athlete who is showing excellent form — in against South Africa (on the bench) when Retallick was unavailable. The All Blacks will likely face big, powerful opposition in the sudden death games. With that in mind, lock Patrick Tuipulotu’s much improved form will tempt the boss.
TJ Perenara Under a little bit of pressure from Brad Weber, but showed the magic lives on against Namibia when the late wonder try even drew applause form the coaching box.
Sonny Bill Williams Powerful closer. If he was in his physical prime the All Blacks coaches would start him alongside LienertBrown. They love everything about SBW, even if he annoys the heck out of some fans.
Jordie Barrett Arrrrggggggh . . . Ben Smith has been central to everything amazing in Hansen’s All Blacks, the coach having promoted and nurtured a player who wasn’t an obvious great in the making. Smith epitomises the All Black mantra, around great attitudes and preparation, and smart thinking. But surely even Hansen can see Smith is in serious decline, that J. Barrett is in better shape. One last agonising decision to make. But that’s coaching.