Hansen chases discomfort zone
Steve Hansen accepts his All Blacks of 2017 are still a work in progress as they master the art of ‘‘feeling comfortable being uncomfortable’’.
But in a long and impassioned plea yesterday, the All Blacks coach has explained why this year’s group appears to have taken a step backwards and vowed he and his fellow coaches will get them to the level they need to by the 2019 World Cup.
On the back of a tough, and drawn, series against the British and Irish Lions, Hansen’smen have not been able to put together a total performances en route to a 3-0 start to the Rugby Championship.
Tomorrow night’s test against the resurgent Springboks at Albany’s QBE Stadium looks set to further challenge the New Zealanders who have a raw prop combination of Kane Hames and Nepo Laulala (just eight tests between them) and a young back three of Damian
‘‘It would appear this is a year we’re having to find out about ourselves.’’ Steve Hansen
McKenzie, Rieko Ioane and Nehe Milner-Skudder (a combined 20 tests).
Hansen said he could understand some public, and media, angst around the performances of the All Blacks this year, but felt context was needed.
‘‘In 2016 we had a group of men who had been primed to hit the road running. They really jumped at the opportunity,’’ he said.
‘‘In 2017 the game has changed subtly, so we’re learning to deal with that. You’re always going to have a tough time as a squad at some period of your life. It would appear this is a year we’re having to find out about ourselves, how are we preparing, are we doing it bone- deep, or are we just scratching the surface?
‘‘We faced an opponent at the beginning of the season who were defensively probably the best side we’ve played, and it’s four countries versus one. They had all the tools to come at us, and we didn’t get a lot of luck in the middle of the park either.
‘‘If we’d won that series, people wouldn’t be so down in the mouth. But what we got in that series was a whole lot of different things this young group has to learn.’’
Hansen also credited opponents with getting better, and with meeting the challenge of playing the No 1 side in the world head-on.
‘‘They don’t have any problem getting themselves to where they need to get to mentally, but we’ve got to work at that all the time.
‘‘I believe we have a good work ethic. I believe we’re going in the right direction. I believe we’ve got a good plan. If you’re not happy with how we’re going, just be patient and we’ll get there. I promise you.’’
He promises.