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'It's usually the younger guys who are a bit less smarter with their ability to' - Hansen

New Zealand coach Steve Hansen

Steve Hansen has guarded against complacency and called on New Zealand to attack their Bledisloe Cup opener next week.

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The All Blacks face Australia in Sydney on Saturday, looking to defend a trophy they have won every year since 2003.

But head coach Hansen has warned his side that they cannot expect a straightforward series, with even a win next weekend not enough to allow New Zealand to relax.

“We’ve just got to go and re-capture the Bledisloe Cup and the attitude has to be to take it rather than expect it to happen,” he said.

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“We’ve got a lot of pride about what’s been done in the past but, at the same time, you’ve got to go and earn it, earn the right to put a hand on it.

“Even if we win this week, it doesn’t mean we’ve won it [the trophy].”

The All Blacks have several members of the Crusaders’ Super Rugby-winning side in their squad, but Hansen is pleased with the way they have focused on the task at hand since the celebrations subsided.

“It took a couple of days for them to get over their celebrations,” Hansen said. “One or two guys were a bit slower than others.

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“It’s usually the younger guys who are a bit less smarter with their ability to [recuperate].

“They’ve been good. The leaders from the Crusaders have been outstanding really and the younger boys have picked up. By Saturday, everyone was on the same page.”

Nehe Milner-Skudder and Sonny Bill Williams have not travelled to Australia for the first clash of the series.

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