All Blacks say they have broken rivals’ code

AUCKLAND: The All Blacks believe they’ve cracked the code to beating the British and Irish Lions rushed defence, with coach Steve Hansen saying yesterday they have plans to outsmart their lightning line speed.

Hansen also dismissed claims by his Lions counterpart Warren Gatland that he was “worried” ahead of the long-awaited first Test between the world champions and the Lions in Auckland tomorrow.

Although the tourists have lost two midweek games, their shadow Test line-up managed to put away Super Rugby leaders Canterbury Crusaders and a strong Maori All Blacks side with a defensive intensity that crushed the life out of the opposition.

“You would assume that because they have had a lot of success with their line speed and their ability to dominate up front that that’s what they’ll try and do with us,” Hansen said, after naming his Test team.

“Have we got a plan for it? Well obviously we hope we do,” he added, without revealing how the All Blacks will combat the threat.

“We’ll see how good the plan is when we get out there tomorrow but it would be very foolish to believe they’re not going to bring some line speed.”

Hansen has named Sonny Bill Williams, with his ability to offload in the tightest situations, and Ryan Crotty, a master reader of the game, as his starting centres.

The surprise selection was Rieko Ioane ahead of the vastly more experienced Julian Savea on the wing.

Ioane is the fastest member of the All Blacks squad and also offers a safe option with Ben Smith and Israel Dagg with the All Blacks back three expected to face an aerial bombardment from Lions halves Conor Murray and Owen Farrell.

Apart from Ioane, Hansen picked a predictable All Blacks side, which includes the return of captain Kieran Read from injury. AFP