Former New Zealand head coach Sir Steve Hansen has given his verdict on how the All Blacks performed in their recent series against France and their style of play.
The All Blacks clinched a 3-0 series triumph over Les Bleus after claiming victories in Dunedin (31-27), Wellington (43-17) and Hamilton (29-19).
France head coach Fabien Galthie named a largely understrength squad to face the All Blacks in that series, with nearly half of the players uncapped at Test level prior to their arrival in New Zealand.
That decision was made due to an agreement between the French Rugby Federation and the LNR – the governing body of professional club teams in France – around the release of star players, ensuring that they get sufficient rest.
Galthie received plenty of criticism from New Zealanders, particularly ex-All Blacks like Jeff Wilson, Mils Muliaina and Justin Marshall, over the make-up of France’s squad for the series.
Despite that, Hansen believes All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson and his backroom staff will be happy with France’s decision as it also allowed them to chop and change players in their squad.
‘France gave them the opportunity to experiment’
“I think they’ve been quite smart. France gave them the opportunity to experiment, and they’ve done that,” he told the DSPN podcast with Martin Devlin.
“France themselves experimented. They brought out a team without their top players, but they also were prepared to play all their squad.
“I think 10 changes after that first Test, which they could have easily won, was brave on their part. So, we ended up seeing their third-best side play the second Test.
“But from an All Black point of view, I think the coaches will be happy.
“They’ve got to put people on the park. They got to see how their game that they want to play operated under some good pressure, and I’m sure they’ll grow from that point.”
Devlin asked Hansen if he is happy with the All Blacks’ current style of play under Robertson, to which he replied: “Well, I can only go on what Scott’s talking about when he talks to the media, and he’s saying they want to play fast and they want to play a high-skilled game.
‘It’ll take a little while to bed it in’
“If you’re going to play fast, it takes a lot of high skills. So, they’re working on that and it’ll take a little while to bed it in.
“But if they get it right and they’re allowed to play fast, it suits New Zealand rugby.
“If you look at the touch game, we’re a free ball nation, whereas Australia like to play to structure, and we’re not a big structured nation, I think.
“We like to use our skill and use our initiative and play what’s in front of us. I think that’s what they’re trying to do.
“Whether the opposition allow them to do that will be a big $60 million question, I guess (in reference to the potential $60 million financial shortfall New Zealand Rugby faces in 2026 after Ineos reneged on a sponsorship deal with the governing body).”