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It’s hard to find a way to blame the All Blacks most successful coach to date. Steve Hansen took over from Sir Graham Henry after a successful 2011 World Cup campaign – and has continued the culture that Henry once worked so hard on.
Basing the culture around honesty, perfection and consistency within the performances, he has a 90 per cent winning rate. He has only tasted defeat twice in 36 Tests!
Extraordinary numbers. How do you possibly ridicule the guy?
Last night I watched a very strong and determined Springboks outfit outplay the black jersey of New Zealand, and they did so thoroughly. They were exuberant in all fields of play, and dominated the All Blacks in every way possible. But what stood out the most, were some iffy selections made by that man, coach Hansen.
All year, Ben Smith has been our best option at fullback. Not only does he play consistenly well, but he is always a safe bet at the custodian role. Why try revive someone like Dagg, when he clearly isn’t in form?
Israel Dagg has clearly lost form, yet Hansen still selects him? When the All Blacks were at their deadly best this year against the Wallabies in the second Test, Ben Smith was at the back.
Why change a winning formula for a ‘favoured’ player? Dagg simply isn’t up to Test football anymore and that was obvious last night.
I watched Hansen’s press conference from his team selection, noticed he stated “Malakai Fekitoa was too good against Argentina, to not start again”.
Why would you warrant someone’s selection in the biggest Test of the year, against a woeful Argentinian outfit?
Ryan Crotty has proved himself constantly over the past two years, as a safe back up option for Ma’a Nonu.
When he’s available, why go for the riskier option of selection Fekitoa, when you have the safe option with Crotty to start? Fekitoa playing well against Argentina, doesn’t and shouldn’t warrant a selection against our biggest foes in their playground.
Barring injuries, I believe the right selections were made with starting Joe Moody, and bringing on Ben Franks off the bench. They both played well and did their job.
Jeremy Thrush has proved himself reliable back-up for any injuries we have in the lock department, and I believe he has earned his selection immensely. But again, Hansen’s selections still have caused fans to scratch their heads.
What about Keven Mealamu?
Again, Hansen justified his selection on a good performance in Argentina. Warranted, incumbent Dane Coles had flown over the world in the past 10 days to cater to his pregnant wife, you still can’t rely on a performance against over Argentina for the likes of the Springboks.
This is professional football. This is All Black Rugby. There should be no excuses in selecting or starting a Test match, especially jetlag.
Why not select Dane Coles (who has grew in leaps and bounds this Test season), in the biggest Test of the season, over an ageing Mealamu who isn’t always trustworthy with his line out throwing? Again, why change a winning formula?
Hansen and his staff really need to take this loss on the chin as their fault. Their selection basis was very negative in regards to particular selections, and it ultimately cost us a big loss at the hands of our rivalled foes of South Africa.
Please stop selecting players who aren’t on form, and think before you start sub-par players in the biggest Test of our calendar year.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.