Hansen takes pot shot at the Lions
ALL Blacks coach Steve Hansen has fired up the verbal war with the British and Irish Lions again, suggesting they play New Zealand style to be competitive in the second test in Wellington next week.
The All Blacks put away their razzle dazzle to beat the Lions 30-15 in the first test in Auckland on Saturday.
With the Lions outsmarted at their own game, and losing the crucial forward battle, Hansen recommended they run the ball more often because that was when they were at their most dangerous.
They were a whisker away from scoring in the opening minute when they took the All Blacks by surprise and went wide, only for Elliott Daly to be rolled on his back and forced into touch as he dived for the line.
The Lions then stunned Hansen’s charges with an 85m sweep featuring Liam Williams, Jonathan Davies and Daly, before flanker Sean O’Brien finished the move with a try.
“When they can score tries like that first one you’re sitting there thinking they should be doing that more often,” Hansen said.
“That was probably one of the best test tries I’ve ever seen.”
Gatland regretted – and admitted – his Lions suffered from a lack of finishing skills.
“You finish those chances and it changes the whole mindset and momentum of the game and unfortunately we created those and didn’t quite finish them off.”
Instead, the Lions persisted with trying to prove their declared aim of being the best forward pack in the world.
But said Hansen: “Our tight five were very, very good.
“If your tight five do the job, everyone else can play. The test was always going to be won in the tight five and I think we won that battle . . . ”. – AFP