It is here that perhaps Hansen made his only dig at France, when he referred to their traditional flair being played and coached out of them by their domestic competition and a succession of coaches who have put more store on defence than attack.
"I'm not sure it's the same flair they've got now. The Top 14 has become quite a dour competition ... I know they're trying to recapture that flair - it's there, you can see it - and when they let it loose it's definitely there. We'll be expecting them to play with flair and physicality."
Asked why they no longer had as much flair as the France of old, Hansen replied: "I'm not sure, you'll have to ask their coaches. Usually their coach has something to do with it."
French urged to play with freedom
Lamenting his side's weak attack in the defeat to Ireland, France coach Philippe Saint-Andre has urged his players to play with more freedom, but providing they win the tough tackles first.
"We're ready for a huge combat against New Zealand, we will need to improve in the rucks and take a lot more individual initiative," Saint-Andre said. "If we want to beat New Zealand we have to play the French way."
Saint-Andre picked a side he hopes will show far more invention. Given the superior quality of the opposition in Cardiff on Sunday, Saint-Andre responded with three changes, two in the backs. The experienced Morgan Parra was recalled at halfback and the brawn of Mathieu Bastareaud was replaced by the guile of Alexandre Dumoulin at outside center.
"We have to play with folly and intelligence to unsettle this New Zealand side," Saint-Andre said on Friday.
Boks prop cleared of bite
South Africa prop Frans Malherbe has been cleared of biting a opposition player during his side's thrashing of the USA earlier this week.
In a photograph taken by the London Daily Mail photographer Kevin Quigley, Malherbe appeared to be seen chewing on the shoulder of American lock Matt Trouville.
However, World Rugby officials have said they are satisfied that no biting incident occurred and that the image is misleading.
"This matter highlights the need to exercise caution in respect of claims based on two-dimensional still images," World Rugby said in a statement.
"Independent citing commissioner Peter Larter (England) is satisfied that no biting incident occurred during the Rugby World Cup 2015 Pool B match between South Africa and USA on 7 October."
"Larter's determination follows a detailed review of all video footage, an absence of a team referral and proactive dismissal by the USA team of claims made via social media that a South Africa player bit a USA player during the match," the statement continues.
"This matter highlights the need to exercise caution in respect of claims based on two-dimensional still images."
Welsh side named
Young specialist Tyler Morgan was selected ahead of veteran utility James Hook at centre in a Wales lineup otherwise at full available strength for the Rugby World Cup quarterfinal against South Africa. British Lions forwards Gethin Jenkins and Dan Lydiate were also recalled in the only other changes from the team which lost to Australia 15-6 at Twickenham last weekend in the Pool A decider.
Wales: Gareth Anscombe, Alex Cuthbert, Tyler Morgan, Jamie Roberts, George North, Dan Biggar, Gareth Davies; Taulupe Faletau, Sam Warburton (captain), Dan Lydiate, Alun Wyn Jones, Luke Charteris, Samson Lee, Scott Baldwin, Gethin Jenkins. Reserves: Ken Owens, Paul James, Tomas Francis, Bradley Davies, Justin Tipuric, Lloyd Williams, Rhys Priestland, James Hook.
