Steve Hansen

Hansen renews calls for taxpayer money

Hansen was responding to comments from former All Black Lima Sopoaga, now playing in England, who says the money on offer overseas will soon outweigh the lure of the All Blacks' jersey.

Hansen doesn't entirely agree, and says New Zealand Rugby isn't at tipping point yet, but insists the current financial model isn't sustainable. He believes if the government and New Zealanders want the All Blacks to remain the best, they would be wise to invest.

The All Blacks became the first team to win back to back World Cups in 2015, cementing their place on World Rugby's throne.

Hansen talks up Wallabies ahead of Bledisloe Cup

The defending Rugby Championship winners and long-time Bledisloe Cup holders arrived in Sydney on Sunday evening, six days before their match at Sydney's ANZ Stadium.

Hansen continued his complimentary assessment of the Wallabies, rating them "a really good side" after their three-test home series loss to Six Nations champions Ireland.

"They won that first one and the second two games they didn't get much luck did they, so it could have gone either way that series," Hansen said.

"I thought they got a lot of intensity, they played with a lot of skill."

Hansen says Canterbury needs a new stadium

Christchurch again missed out on any test matches this year and the champion Crusaders will defend their Super Rugby title this weekend at a home ground that could sell more tickets than seat people.

The debate over whether to build a new 465 million dollar, 25 thousand seat roofed stadium in Christchurch continues to rage.

However Hansen isn't sitting on the fence, citing Dunedin's stadium, which recently held an Ed Sheeran concert which brought big social and economic benefits to the city, as a prime example of why Christchurch is missing a trick.

Hansen won't wield axe

The All Blacks' selection panel, which comprises Ian Foster, Grant Fox and Hansen, will on Monday confirm their 37-man squad to tour the northern hemisphere and although a number of players' reputations were dented at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night there will be no immediate repercussions.

"I probably could have told you the touring squad before tonight, and it hasn't changed," Hansen said as he ruminated on the end of the All Blacks' seven-match winning streak against the Aussies on the soggy Suncorp pitch.

Lay off SBW: Hansen

Despite making 23 tackles in the All Blacks' 25-24 win over the Springboks in Cape Town on October 8, Williams has been blitzed by some critics who believe he has lost the ability to tickle-up opponents with the attacking skills that made him such a unique force at second five-eighth.

When All Blacks coach Hansen, having arrived in Brisbane on Monday night to prepare his team for the match against the Wallabies this weekend, was asked to provide an assessment of Williams' form he let rip.

Hansen: Rules should be simpler

After Owen Farrell had levelled the score at 15-15 with a 78th-minute penalty, the All Blacks looked set to be given a chance to claim victory when referee Poite awarded a penalty to the hosts from the restart.

However, after consulting the television match official and his touch judges, Poite ultimately decided that Lions hooker Ken Owens was accidentally offside when collecting a knock-on from full-back Liam Williams, meaning New Zealand were only granted a scrum rather than the opportunity to kick at goal.

Jones: Hansen the Big Bad Wolf

Hansen offered his congratulations to Jones after England equalled the All Blacks' record of 18 consecutive victories for a tier-one nation by battering Scotland 61-21 in the Six Nations on Saturday.

The record will be England's alone if they can beat Ireland in Dublin this weekend, which would also see them clinch back-to-back Grand Slams.

Rather than be disappointed that New Zealand, whose own run ended against Ireland in November, may no longer have the accolade Hansen welcomed the competition.

All Blacks, Hansen win top awards

RNZ reports the All Blacks claimed the Team of the Year award after breaking the record for most successive wins by a tier one nation while Hansen has won his fourth Coach of the Year title.

Hansen beat out England coach Eddie Jones for the title, Jones' side has gone unbeaten this season.

The All Blacks won their seventh successive Team of the Year award, beating Olympic champions - the Fijian Sevens team, to the title.

Hansen revels in 'ideal game' for All Blacks

The Pumas put the world champions under significant pressure for more than 50 minutes in Hamilton on Saturday, claiming the lead on three occasions.

However, a one-sided final half-hour saw the All Blacks run in 33 points without reply to secure an ultimately emphatic victory.

"Just an ideal game for us, wasn't it," said Hansen. "We've come off two pretty successful weeks against Australia and then [we were] put under a lot of pressure in the first half and had to find some answers.

Hansen will stay on for 2019 World Cup

 

Hansen was contracted through until the end of next year's British and Irish Lions tour.

Following the world cup win over Australia in November, Hansen indicated he was unlikely to continue through to 2019 but has had a change of heart.