Men, women and children have taken to the streets of New Zealand with pitchforks and burning torches demanding answers from Super Rugby franchises.
Well, that may be a slight exaggeration.
But are the coaches to blame for misfiring All Blacks or just lazy players?
Todd Blackadder has taken a stand by dropping World Cup winning Israel Dagg from the starting line-up for the Crusaders.
Blackadder said that All Blacks players who believe that selectors will still choose them from past performances are in for a shock. There is now no possibility to cruise in Super Rugby on the basis of past performances.
Hansen has already said he is not concerned by poor form from All Blacks, saying that Dagg performs at his best on the big stages. And that everyone should “calm down”.
Dagg is not alone, Highlanders Aaron Smith, Ma’a Nonu, Tony Woodcock and Andrew Hore are all expected to be involved in the Test series with France.
Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph also had enough of Smith’s poor form and already put him on the bench for the first half against the Brumbies.
This Super Rugby tournament has been a roller coaster ride for most supporters.
The once dominant Crusaders outfit have struggled in attack, but stringing a few victories together is having the effect of keeping their heads just above the water.
The Chiefs are hit and miss.
As with most Kiwi teams this year, they are struggling with consistency. Look no further than the Blues’ turnaround for evidence of this.
Most frustrating thing of all for New Zealand franchise coaches is the miraculous form and recovery that many of the players have when the All Black jersey goes on.
Unless Hansen has his head in the sand, the rugby world is catching up with the mighty All Blacks.
Their fast flowing loose and wide attacking style of rugby is now outdated.
At the breakdown Richie McCaw has pushed the rules but this has forced the referees to have a greater appreciation and understanding of the rules, so he can’t get away with this anymore.
The game has become tight, so tight that the only way to win convincingly is by incorporating storm trooper tactics on the rampage with unrelenting wave after wave of attack.
You must be ruthless in defence, anything less and you pay.
Fitness levels have also caught up. Men like David Pocock and McCaw lead the way. Only the strong will survive in this generation
With big tests in the Southern Hemisphere this year, each game will be analysed by head coaches and players like the CIA looking for spies.
It is now the battle of intelligence versus intelligence, trying to minimise errors, while eliminating penalty counts.
The team that takes control of that combined with ultimate fitness will win the day.
WEST
Roar Guru
Weepu-smith will be properly same set up as last year weepu come on in 2nd half or when the game plan isn't working out so well. Zac Guildford could take a role of cory Jane, wingers we have no shortage, think the same Savea, gear as our impact wingers, I'd like to see Nanai, Ellison, ranger and if Nonu does sort his crap out for the year be very handy to try some combination in the centres, I'm sure well see some experimenting going on in our backline. Masaga and Bundee thrown in the mix and maybe Fancis Saili. Oh .....And his bro Peter Saili given a shot on the flanks. To be honest I'm not really sure what's going to happen think Hansen naming training squad next week at the mount.
Matt
Guest
Who would you be picking Westy? It will be interesting to see if they go for power (Nonu, Ellison, Ranger) or for a smaller guy (B.Smith, Nanai-Williams). Personally I'd like to see them give Ben Smith some game time at 13, but if Jamie Joseph continues to play him at 15 then he's going to have to make some big adjustments, which really shouldn't be going on at test level. Similarly I've liked Nanai-Williams at 13 but think he should take on Corey Jane's role at 14, with a big winger at 11 (Savea/Gear). I'd also like to see Piutau selected to put pressure on Dagg . I think Nonu will still be selected as the incumbent No.12, as they seem reluctant to move Carter back there. And I think Hansen will stick with Weepu and Smith in the halves for now as neither has really been outplayed on a consinstent basis by the challengers.
WEST
Roar Guru
Yes indeed man, should be interesting how Hansen goes about it. Maybe like last years northern tour throw new breed in see how they deal with it. Let the weak ones sink and tough ones survive.
Matt
Guest
I think the midfield is really the only issue where Hansen will have some selection issues. Ma'a Nonu is out of form, Sonny Bill Williams is in the NRL and Conrad Smith and Richard Kahui are injured. That leaves only Tamati Ellison and Ben Smith with any kind of previous experience. And neither of those guys have played many games for the AB's, especially in the midfield. It's a position where there are no real previously proven contenders with a lot of games under their belt or players that are standing out in Super Rugby. Ellison has been injured, Smith playing fullback. If you look around the franchises you see there are no players who have shown they're consistently test match quality players. Both Ranger and Fruean have been talked about in the past, but both have technical issues. Then you've got the likes of Treeby, Bateman and Crotty who are solid but not spectacular, followed by some newcomers who are yet to have a full season of Super Rugby in the midfield (Nanai-Williams, Aki, Saili and Emery). Some tough calls to make there.
WEST
Roar Guru
Nonu has been terrible, the only way he would be selected is purely on past performances because he has just looked crap, he really offers much for his side but knock ons and poor passes and just stumbles around the place. With a shaven eye brow like some mental patient, im sure he'll be in there anyway. If he suddenly finds form for AB I'd be pissed off if i was Jamie Joseph. He shouldn't be selected for AB better with someone like SBW cousin Nani Williams, hell even Bundee Aki, he might flourish in a All Black environment. All Blacks are lacking there centre firepower, Kahui gone, Smith gone, carter might shift out to second five-eight , word from AB camp. Franks bro are going well front row, Crockett when he isn't giving away penaltys, have to see what Mealamu comes up with. Hore, woodcock have been looking tired tho they have pulled there fingers out the last few. Main concern for me will be our centre backlines attacking ability. And defence. Hansen will need new blood and devolepment in that area. Can't just hope SBW comes back for the next RWC.
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
Justin the point here though is that they would be good coaches at Super level, whatever they're like at international level. But because so many of them have moved up to international level there aren't many good ones left for Super level.
Justin2
Guest
Yes forgot about Gatland
Justin2
Guest
Yes forgot about Gatland
WEST
Roar Guru
It has just come to the attention of NZ public ex all blacks and Nz super 15 franchise head coaches that "some" all blacks are under performing, that was my main point, statistics a sides, yea I think gap is closing, NZ has a wide expansive running game, that oppersiton are now aware of and it seems to be turning into a interceptors dream. The world has caught up at breakdown play, with aggressive attacking and turning the ball, and making it harder to recycle the ball. Have to wait and see what AB have up there sleeve to keep ahead of the packs. The roar has a ruthless editing style pretty much cut out most of my article and added what they wanted in.
Matt
Guest
I thought Hansen showed last year that he was willing to take a punt and give younger players a chance to shine. I think he'll do the same this year and I wouldn't be surprised to see one of the young Props (Tamefuna, Afeaki) given a go along with potentially Luatua or Shields. In the backs I'd expect a new look midfield with the likes of Piutau and Nanai-Williams brought in to cover the likley repositioning of Ben Smith to Centre. Who exactly are these All Blacks who are showing poor SR form that don't warrant AB selection? Woodcock - who do you pick if Crockett and Ben Franks are already selected like last season? Hore - again there isn't a better option Nonu - no other 12 options aside from maybe Ellison Dagg - looked pretty good off the bench on Sunday I think people who like to pick on immediate form also need to consider that a guy like Jesse Mogg or Tim Nani-Williams this season could also go the way of Andre Taylor last season. You want a guy who can do it for more than that one season when the chips fall their way.
You could argue the Boks have been poor as well then. Or are the All Blacks just better?
Peepers
Guest
The Chiefs are hit and miss according to you, but second on the competition table with a game in hand on the Brumbies who lead them by a point. On a championship points per game basis the NZ conference is averaging 3.16, SA 2.95 and Aus 2.83. Statistically your article is incorrect. What I would agree with is the gap has closed. It is overdue. Australian rugby has been poor in the professional era, you've won three Super Rugby titles for a return a shade below 18%, and haven't held the Bledisloe Cup in eleven years, in fact you've managed to defend it once since the great John Eales retired.
Matt, the reasoning here isn't how well the teams do, it is who plays Super Rugby. Imagine you have 30 of the worlds best players on leave, if I was the broadcaster who signs the deal to pay some group of rugby teams millions of dollars to provide a product, my draw card is to tell people they will be watching Richie McCaw, Dan Carter, Will Genia, Bryan Habana etc. Why does the Vodacom Cup not get as much money as the Currie Cup or the Super XV? It is who plays in it. There was a big Ruckus over the fact that in 2007 JW took his Boks out of the Tri Nations, the same principle applies here. What I am trying to say, it is OK, if one or two players from one country is put on a sabbatical, but do you think for one moment Robbie Deans and Heyneke Meyer is not looking at this and thinking "Ah, I must do the same, I can have my stars fresh for the Rugby Championship" And then mate, it can all go downhill from there
Matt
Guest
Biltong, I think that depends on how well the teams perform. If the Kiwis are resting/dropping/pulling out players from Super Rugby but are the defending champs and have 3 finalist contenders in 2013 then it'd be hard to justify that they're not taking it seriously?
Sylvester
Guest
I think sensibly he's phasing new guys in around the old heads. Last we saw the introduction of Aaron Smith, Savea, Retallick, Cane and Faumuina among others. And a year of additional experience for the mid-aged players like Dagg, Whitelock, Franks etc.
Allblackfan, what if SA and OZ follow suit in the following years and start pulling out their international players. The guys guys that will jumpa up and down will be the broadcasters and the sponsors.
Jerry
Guest
There's also Gatland, who you'd have to say is proven (RWC semi for 2nd time ever, 2 Grand Slams).
Justin2
Guest
Of those only Henry is proven as a head coach at International level, possibly Smith. Smith has the tactical acumen from all reports. Hansen, I think the jury is out somewhat, will be a big year for him this year. Deans hasnt proven to be a success at Test level and Schmit is untried at that level.
allblackfan
Guest
biltongbek, I think Sanzar will need to continue to split revenue equally. Remember, two or three of the Aussie teams are gradually filling up with Kiwis as well. NZ rugby is dominating the trans-Tasman aspect of Super Rugby and is assuming a prominence that would make it very hard to ignore!
richard
Guest
"the rugby world is catching up with the mighty All Blacks". Sylvester,normally I would agree,but I sense Westy may be right on this occasion.I personally believe a number of the current ABs are past it,or very close to it.Hansen is going to have to get the balance right re selections or it could turn out to be a poor season for the ABs ( by their standards).NZ don't want to find themselves in the situation of taking players too far e.g John Hart's team post 1997.