Hansen: England’s slump no surprise

England’s recent slump in form isn’t a great shock to All Blacks coach Steve Hansen.

Until they nose-dived to defeats against France and Scotland in their recent Six Nations matches, England had been championed by their supporters as the side most likely to run over the All Blacks when they tour the northern hemisphere in November.

In the wake of their capitulations in Paris and Edinburgh, those subscribing to such views might feel they are entitled to have a re-think.

Now that there are big question marks hovering over the mettle of the Eddie Jones-coached England team, the November 10 match against the All Blacks in London is in danger of losing some of its appeal.

Rather than have a dig at Jones and his players, Hansen, who said he wasn’t surprised at the recent results, believed they were a reflection of the quality of the teams in the Six Nations.

‘‘Not really. I think any team is capable, up there, of beating each other,’’ Hansen said.

‘‘France are a side that we as well know that can turn-up or turn-off. If they turn-up they are extremely difficult to play - big, athletic and skilful. And they have a number of people out, so they are only going to get better.’’

France are scheduled to play tests against the All Blacks in Auckland, Wellington and Dunedin in June. When France met the All Blacks in Paris last November, the tourists won 38-18 at Stade de France.

With Ireland securing the Six Nations title with a game to spare they meet England in London this weekend - it is their match against the All Blacks in Dublin, a week after the New Zealanders play England, that is now shaping as the clash of the world’s heavyweights.

The fact Kiwi Joe Schmidt has constructed such a formidable unit with Ireland didn’t come as a bolt from the blue, Hansen said on Monday from the All Blacks foundation camp in Christchurch.

A brief flick through history, he said, reinforced that viewpoint. He revisited the loss to the Irish in Chicago in late 2016, which was followed by a hard-fought win over them in Dublin a fortnight later, to prove his point.

Then there was the 24-22 win over Ireland in Dublin in 2013 to consider, a victory that was earned when Aaron Cruden converted Ryan Crotty’s late try from the sideline.

‘‘They (Ireland) have always been tough,’’ Hansen said.

‘‘For quite some time, they have been strong. People tend to forget that. Again, Scotland; everyone said ‘look at our performance’, rather than saying Scotland have actually improved.

‘‘There is a lot of improvement in northern hemisphere rugby at the moment.’’

Hansen also said it would be remiss to overlook what Scotland had achieved under coach Gregor Townsend. When the All Blacks survived a late rally from the Scots in their penultimate tour match last year, they were fortunate leave Edinburgh with a 22-17 victory.

‘‘I think last year we saw in Scotland, they have made big improvements; beaten Australia twice, played really well against us and come out and beaten England,’’ Hansen noted.

‘‘Northern hemisphere rugby at the moment is humming along pretty nicely, and it is going to be a good challenge.’’

Meanwhile, Hansen said he was satisfied with what Damian McKenzie had achieved in his sole outing at No 10 for the Chiefs this season - the 45-23 loss to the Crusaders on February 24.

McKenzie’s shift from fullback is to build depth at first five-eighth, in the wake of Aaron Cruden leaving New Zealand last year and Lima Sopoaga poised to depart later this year.

‘‘He (McKenzie) did some really nice things and he would have learned a couple of lessons,’’Hansen said.

‘‘He might want to stand closer to his halfback, so he has got a bit more time. I think he’s a young man who played all his rugby, was identified playing first-five for Christ’s College, so he just needs some time in the saddle.

‘‘He’s a sharp learner and a brave young man. Those two attributes, along with his work ethic and his natural talent will see him succeed there, but he just needs time.’’