Assistant coach applauds All Blacks midfield as selection talk simmers

The All Blacks‘ big win over Japan has reignited plenty of selection talk within the team, with rookies and departing veterans alike fighting for minutes on the upcoming end-of-year tour.

Two more players were added to the class of 2024 for the All Blacks in Tokyo, with young Hurricanes duo Ruben Love and Peter Lakai earning their debuts in the win.

While it’s expected both the electric outside back and the work horse loose forward will split their time between the All Blacks and All Blacks XV over the coming month, All Blacks assistant coach Scott Hansen said the pair were a success story of the game.

“I think that a lot of that comes from the leadership, the group that was around them and helped set them up,” the coach told The Breakdown following the win.

“They’re two young men that have worked really hard behind the scenes for a long time, they’ve done really well through their franchises, and then to see them both out here today, playing in the All Black jersey is a great moment for them and their families.

“Again, credit to them but also the group for taking care of them and setting them up through the week.”

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins

1

Draws

1

Wins

3

Average Points scored

20

19

First try wins

60%

Home team wins

60%

Love claimed two tries in the space of three minutes once he came onto the field while Lakai wasted no time chewing through 11 tackles in his 30 minutes.

Beyond the dynamic youngsters, there were plenty of players who progressed their respective cases for minutes, with head coach Scott Robertson stating post-match there will be players who started the Japan Test who will also start against England this coming weekend, joining a cohort of players who left Tokyo for London last week.

Hansen expanded on the state of the selection debate and commended his side for their performance.

“Oh, it was a Test match. Go and perform, and be at your best; that’s what we asked of them today. A lot of guys put their hand up around, well, that was an All Blacks performance that puts me in the spotlight around being selected.

“And that’s what it’s got to be, it’s got to be a group that’s challenging and competing for selections that’s going to bring the best out of the group.

“You look at some individuals today, for example, Billy Proctor, the work on and off the ball; Anton Lienert-Brown’s been outstanding all year for us, so those guys, and many others have put their hand up and continue to.”

The young players aren’t the only squad members new to the environment, with the recent coaching overhaul injecting a new interpretation of the classic All Blacks vision into the Kiwi setup.

Hansen is one of the handful of new faces, although his experience in Jamie Joseph’s former Japan coaching group means he has some comfort in the international arena. He reflected on his journey in the All Blakcs environment so far.

“I’m a big fan of preparation, I’m a big fan of preparation so that’s what helps me get through my week. And to be fair, on the weekend I’m pretty calm, it’s about the players. It’s our job to set them up, prepare them well and they go about their work.

“What we saw today was a leadership group, a young leadership group grabbed this team and did a really good job.”

Elaborating on his All Blacks journey to date, the coach was asked what his biggest learnings have been.

“I love consistency, so working and building towards that. You have your highs and a low during a Test. I’m familiar with a Test environment but with the All Blacks there’s a certain, and there should be expectation on the All Blacks, and we’re excited for that.

“But this consistency in our preparation and what that looks like each week. And, as a young coach, I continue to grow my ability to help the group.”