Hansen happy to be facing Savea
Steve Hansen has given All Blacks reject Julian Savea a resounding thumbs-up for his decision to line up for the Barbarians against his old side at Twickenham next weekend.
In fact you can colour Hansen officially intrigued by the inclusion of the World Cupwinning All Black wing in Robbie Deans’ Barbarians side to take on the New Zealanders in their November tour opener – a turn of events that adds considerable interest to what might otherwise have been a fairly low-key affair.
Hansen assembled with his All Blacks in Auckland yesterday, with the bulk flying out later that evening for London. There was one late change in plans with Northland midfielder Jack Goodhue a defection with illness.
Goodhue will still join the All Blacks on tour, but will fly out later next week with family men Kieran Read, Sam Whitelock, Dane Coles, Sonny Bill Williams and Wyatt Crockett who have been given some extended home time.
Anton Lienert-Brown, originally slated to be among the late departees, replaced Goodhue among the first wave who will prepare for the Baabaas match in London. Hansen admitted the Northlander would have featured in that clash.
But the All Blacks coach confirmed he was more than happy to see Savea, who has scored 46 tries in his 54 tests, among a strong Kiwi contingent in the Barbarians. Hansen has challenged Savea to have a ‘‘big off-season’’ and rediscover his love of rugby during his period out of the national team. He is adamant he has not been tossed on the scrapheap.
‘‘It’s exciting for him,’’ said Hansen.
‘‘This is what we wanted for him, to be able to go away and start enjoying his rugby again and get some things like this. If he’d been with us he wouldn’t have been able to do that.
‘‘It’s a big opportunity for him to enjoy what is always a good occasion.’’
Hansen will send out a decidedly second-string lineup to face the Baabaas and is certain to give squad members who haven’t seen much time of late an opportunity.
That should see the likes of Nathan Harris, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen and Ngani Laumape get a decent run in the black jersey, while it also shapes as a chance for new face, and latest league convert, Matt Duffie to feature for the first time.