Line-ups for Albany
Damian McKenzie, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Ryan Crotty, Sonny Bill Williams, Rieko Ioane, Beauden Barrett, Aaron Smith; Kieran Read (capt), Sam Cane, Liam Squire, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Nepo Laulala, Dane Coles, Kane Hames. Replacements: Codie Taylor, Wyatt Crockett, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Scott Barrett, Ardie Savea, TJ Perenara, Lima Sopoaga, Anton Lienert-Brown
Andries Coetzee, Raymond Rhule, Jesse Kriel, Jan Serfontein, Courtnall Skosan, Elton Jantjies, Ross Cronjé, Uzair Cassiem, Jean-luc du Preez, Siya Kolisi, Franco Mostert, Eben Etzebeth (capt), Ruan Dreyer, Malcolm Marx, Tendai Mtawarira. Replacements: Bongi Mbonambi, Steven Kitshoff, Trevor Nyakane, Lood de Jager, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Francois Hougaard, Handré Pollard, Damian de Allende
those who compete in the playoffs,” Coetzee said.
Hansen has had to deal with criticism despite the All Blacks only losing one game this season. There is a growing sense of pessimism about the All Blacks’ veneer of invincibility staying unscathed against their southern hemisphere neighbours.
After galloping to a 54-34 clouting of Australia in Sydney on August 19, they had to fight the next week to keep their 16year unbeaten streak against Australia at home intact in a tight, 35-29 win in Dunedin.
They also had to rely on their superior composure and conditioning to see off a determined Argentina 39-22 in New Plymouth last week after the Pumas had taken a 22-15 lead after 50 minutes.
Hansen said he understood the angst about the team’s stuttering performances.
He also raised eyebrows with the selection of Chiefs
loosehead prop Kane Hames ahead of the experienced Crusader Wyatt Crockett.
The All Blacks have lost a wealth of front-row experience due to the injury-enforced absence of Owen Franks and Joe Moody.
“What we got in the drawn British and Irish Lions series was a whole lot of different things this young group has to learn. We’ve got a young skipper [in Kieran Read] even though he’s played 100 Tests. He’s being challenged, the leadership group is being challenged and so are the youngsters,” Hansen said.
“With the injuries, we’ve had an awkward season. We’ve lost one, drawn one but in other games we’ve got out of tight spots and played some good rugby,” he said.
“While some of these guys are very new, they are surrounded by guys who have been around for a long time. The culture of the team is good….”