No WC hangover for All Blacks
New All Blacks coach Steve Hansen says New Zealand’s top rugby players are not suffering an emotional letdown after last year’s World Cup victory despite some rusty performances at the start of the new season.
Several leading All Blacks have been out of form in the first five weeks of Super Rugby, prompting speculation they may be struggling to regain fitness and enthusiasm after October’s World Cup victory.
Hansen, who took over as coach from Graham Henry after the World Cup, said All Blacks players aimed to peak later in the season and he was confident they would find form with more match play.
“A lot’s been made of (players’ form) because we’ve come off the World Cup and everybody is looking for something to talk about,” Hansen said.
“But the reality is it’s probably no worse than it’s been in any other year. The All Blacks don’t peak in February, March, April. They start peaking in May, June, July and it’s a long year for these guys. They don’t finish until December 1.
“It’s about them and their Super Rugby or All Blacks coaches making sure that we have them in the right condition to be able to do the job when it matters most.
“For Super Rugby coaches, yes these round-robin games are important because it puts them into the finals. It’s no different to the World Cup. We couldn’t peak in our round-robin games, we had to peak in the finals series. I’m not too worried at this point.”
Hansen said players would have to ensure their form and fitness improved sufficiently to earn selection in the All Blacks’ squad for midyear tests against Ireland.
“If we get closer to May or June and they’re not playing well, then yes I’ll be concerned and so should they be because they’re starting to run the risk of not being selected,” he said.
SAPA-AP
