All Black coach Steve Hansen is a man of many faces. He is both good cop and bad when it comes to selections and creating a culture. Photos / APN, Sarah Ivey
All Black coach Steve Hansen is a man of many faces. He is both good cop and bad when it comes to selections and creating a culture. Photos / APN, Sarah Ivey
After the All Blacks fielded three new caps in Hansen's first game in charge and pumped Ireland 42-10, he put the debutants off limits to the media before the second test. He feared that too much media praise would distract the new boys and he was right: theAll Blacks only won thanks to a last-minute dropped goal.
September 2012
Drops Sam Whitelock for the test against Argentina in Wellington and says it was for lack of form. Whitelock, told to vary his pace during a game, responded, scoring a superb try against South Africa.
Selects Aaron Smith for the June tests in 2013 despite the fact the halfback had been poor all season for the Highlanders. Hansen backed Smith publicly, said he just needed to focus on the basics and that he'd never lost his faith in him. Smith was instantly superb for the All Blacks and has stayed there all year.
June 2014
Cory Jane suffered a poor test against England in Dunedin and was under pressure to keep his place. Hansen knocked that theory and said Jane just needed to be Jane. He was electric in the third test.
Steven Luatua, one of the finds of 2013, was dropped by the Blues during Super Rugby and then by the All Blacks. Hansen said the big blindside forward wasn't fit enough and needed to show more hunger and desire. Luatua returned to Super Rugby and played back at his previous level and was recalled for the Rugby Championship.
