Hansen says England Test is bigger than Lions for Kiwis
STEVE Hansen believes New Zealand’s clash with England is bigger than last year’s series against the British and Irish Lions.
Hansen’s All Blacks are set to play at Twickenham for the first time since their World Cup final victory over Australia in 2015.
The sold-out Test match follows the 2017 Lions tour when New Zealand were held to a draw on home soil.
Head coach Hansen is keen to make amends for that frustration.
“I think (the England match is) even bigger actually. I think the Lions tour has made it bigger because we weren’t successful,” said the 59-year-old.
“In only drawing the series, that wasn’t successful to us. That’s made this week have a sharper edge to it, which is good.
“You’ve got to be reasonably stupid if you can’t work out this is going to be big.
“There’s 80,000 people (in the stadium), it’s all over the papers, everyone’s talking about it, you can’t get a ticket.
“You’d have to be on holiday, I reckon, if you didn’t work out that this is going to be big. And we haven’t got anybody on holiday this week.”
The All Blacks have not played against England since a 24-21 win in London in November 2014.
England have recalled Chris Ashton to the wing and two further changes to the team that toppled South Africa sees Ben Moon come in for Alec Hepburn at prop and former Osprey Sam Underhill replace Tom Curry.
New Zealand have picked their strongest available team, including a centre pairing of Sonny Bill Williams and Jack Goodhue. Prop Joe Moody suffered a cut eye in training so Karl Tu’inukuafe takes his place in the front row in the side led by Kieran Read.
E Daly; C Ashton, H Slade, B Te’o, J May; O Farrell (co-capt), B Youngs; B Moon, D Hartley (co-capt), K Sinckler, M Itoje, G Kruis, B Shields, S Underhill, M Wilson. Reps: J George, A Hepburn, H Williams, C Ewels, C Lawes, D Care, G Ford, J Nowell.
England: New Zealand:
D McKenzie; B Smith, J Goodhue, S B Williams, R Ioane; B Barrett, A Smith; K Tu’inukuafe, C Taylor, O Franks, S Whitelock, B Retallick, L Squire, A Savea, K Read (capt). Reps: D Coles, O Tuungafasi, N Laulala, S Barrett, M Todd, TJ Perenara, R Mo’unga, R Crotty.