JUST why the all-conquering All Blacks have a vice-like grip over their opponents was laid bare by coach Steve Hansen yesterday.
Under Hansen they have a winning record of more than 90%, one defeat in 43 Tests , their last one coming 22 Tests ago. Modesty had reason to vacate the room.
So why Steve, why? “Mental fortitude, the ability to keep our composure under pressure in tight situations and we’ve probably been a bit lucky as well,” he added charitably.
Go on. “Actually practising the moment without pressure so that you can do it under pressure.”
Hansen, whose team is playing the Springboks in a Rugby Championship encounter at Ellis Park tomorrow also pointed to their ability to back themselves and each other.
“The big thing is this group is very strong. They have a great belief in themselves and they have composure. Staying deliberately calm in those pressure moments is important.”
Former coach Graham Henry suggested recently that it might not be a bad thing for the All Blacks to suffer defeat before next year’s World Cup. After all, his team buckled under the expectation that they are invincible in 2007.
“I don’t think it cost us the World Cup in ’07 and it didn’t win us the World Cup in 2011,” countered Hansen. “The difference in those two campaigns is that we went to the United Kingdom expecting to win it, we went to the 2011 World Cup desperate to take it.
“They are two totally different attitudes.
“I have never concurred with the idea that you have to lose to learn. There no reason why you can’t learn while you’re winning.
“If we are honest with ourselves there are a few games we could have easily lost.
“It hurts to lose but I don’t see why we have to go through pain to learn. It’s a little bit like putting your hand on the fire. You can tell it’s hot. You don’t need to stick your hand in it, do you?”
Hansen was on a roll. He believes the importance of beating the Boks is secondary to a higher calling. “We are desperate to keep playing well. Winning is an outcome. It follows playing well invariably. If you play poorly and you beat somebody you really haven’t achieved anything. When you play well and win it is something to be proud of.
“We’ve been reasonably lucky over the last few games.
“We are not putting any pressure on ourselves other than playing quality rugby. If we get beaten by a team that is playing better quality rugby than us then so be it.”
Some Stats:
134 – The new record Richie McCaw will set for the number of games for the All Blacks (only one was not a Test match)
4.48 – The margin by which the All Blacks lead the Boks in the IRB rankings.
20 August 2011 – The last time the Springboks beat the All Blacks.
51 – The number of wins the All Blacks have had over the Boks in their 88 Tests.
3 – The number of draws between the Springboks and the All Blacks.
8 – The number of Bok wins out of 14 Tests against the All Blacks at Ellis Park.
All Blacks plan to go for jugular
Under Hansen they have a winning record of more than 90%, one defeat in 43 Tests , their last one coming 22 Tests ago. Modesty had reason to vacate the room.
So why Steve, why? “Mental fortitude, the ability to keep our composure under pressure in tight situations and we’ve probably been a bit lucky as well,” he added charitably.
Go on. “Actually practising the moment without pressure so that you can do it under pressure.”
Hansen, whose team is playing the Springboks in a Rugby Championship encounter at Ellis Park tomorrow also pointed to their ability to back themselves and each other.
“The big thing is this group is very strong. They have a great belief in themselves and they have composure. Staying deliberately calm in those pressure moments is important.”
Former coach Graham Henry suggested recently that it might not be a bad thing for the All Blacks to suffer defeat before next year’s World Cup. After all, his team buckled under the expectation that they are invincible in 2007.
“I don’t think it cost us the World Cup in ’07 and it didn’t win us the World Cup in 2011,” countered Hansen. “The difference in those two campaigns is that we went to the United Kingdom expecting to win it, we went to the 2011 World Cup desperate to take it.
“They are two totally different attitudes.
“I have never concurred with the idea that you have to lose to learn. There no reason why you can’t learn while you’re winning.
“If we are honest with ourselves there are a few games we could have easily lost.
“It hurts to lose but I don’t see why we have to go through pain to learn. It’s a little bit like putting your hand on the fire. You can tell it’s hot. You don’t need to stick your hand in it, do you?”
Hansen was on a roll. He believes the importance of beating the Boks is secondary to a higher calling. “We are desperate to keep playing well. Winning is an outcome. It follows playing well invariably. If you play poorly and you beat somebody you really haven’t achieved anything. When you play well and win it is something to be proud of.
“We’ve been reasonably lucky over the last few games.
“We are not putting any pressure on ourselves other than playing quality rugby. If we get beaten by a team that is playing better quality rugby than us then so be it.”
Some Stats:
134 – The new record Richie McCaw will set for the number of games for the All Blacks (only one was not a Test match)
4.48 – The margin by which the All Blacks lead the Boks in the IRB rankings.
20 August 2011 – The last time the Springboks beat the All Blacks.
51 – The number of wins the All Blacks have had over the Boks in their 88 Tests.
3 – The number of draws between the Springboks and the All Blacks.
8 – The number of Bok wins out of 14 Tests against the All Blacks at Ellis Park.
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