Hansen ‘annoyed’ by TV replays as All Blacks hold on

MUCH OF the talk in the build-up to the contest was about gaining a psychological advantage ahead of the World Cup but Steven Hansen was adamant the game has no bearing on the tournament next year.

‘People talking about the psychological advantage of winning today – there’s a lot of us think that’s a load of baloney,’ Hansen said. ‘There’s no advantage if we don’t make it to the next stage to play England – you are assuming a lot.

‘There are some great rugby teams that are going to go to the World Cup. The World Cup’s not about one team, it’s about five or six. The All Blacks have shown many times you can be top dog and not get there. So if you haven’t got your ducks in a row when the time comes, you don’t make it. Today is about winning today.’

The All Blacks head coach who saw his team overturn an 11-14 half-time deficit was also critical of replays being shown on the big screen at Twickenham.

‘My biggest concern is not TMOs or referees – my biggest concern is that TV producers are starting to have an influence on the game,’ Hansen said.

‘We don’t need a TV producer to replay something 100 times – that’s not in the character or the spirit of our game.

‘Referees will make mistakes but you’ve got to live with that because some day you’ll get the rub of the green.

‘But TV producers, they are starting to annoy me somewhat.’

Tries from Aaron Cruden, Richie McCaw and Charlie Faumuina. secured the victory, with a late penalty try adding a gloss to the scoreboard for the home side.