SM
Inter Milan vs. Como: 4 hrs 48 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
Rugby World Cup | Quarter-Finals
Oct 19, 2019 at 11.15am UK
 
New Zealand
46-14
Ireland
Smith (14', 20'), Barrett (32'), Taylor (48'), Todd (61'), Bridge (73'), Barrett (79')
FT
Henshaw (69'), Penalty (77')

Steve Hansen not thinking of quarter-final as last game

:Headline: Steve Hansen not thinking of quarter-final as last game: ID:375230: from db_amp
Hansen has already announced he will step down as New Zealand head coach after the World Cup.

Steve Hansen insists will not let emotion cloud New Zealand's preparations for Saturday's showdown with Ireland despite the potential for it to be his final game in charge.

The back-to-back World Cup winners face Joe Schmidt's men in Tokyo as the knock-out stages of this year's competition get under way.

Like Schmidt and his Irish post, Hansen has already announced he will be standing down after the tournament following seven glory-filled years in All Blacks' top job.

His side remain the overwhelming favourites to lift the Webb Ellis Cup but up against an Ireland side who have won two of their last three meetings, Hansen knows he could be looking at his final few days in a role he cherishes.

The 60-year-old, however, says the time for reflection will come once his team's fate has been dealt.

He said: "It'll affect me when it's finished. You haven't got any room to get gaa-gaa emotional. You're here to do a job.

"The team is bigger than the individual and it always has been.

"The jersey and legacy of the jersey demands you to be there giving 100 per cent of what you have. So you don't have time to think about yourself.

"When the tournament is over and whenever that is, that's when you step back and have a reflection and have a think about what's next and what life will be like. But at the moment it's not even in your mind."

Hansen has sprung a few surprises with his team selection for the match at the Tokyo Stadium, most notably selecting Brodie Retallick despite the Chiefs lock having just 30 minutes of this year's World Cup action under his belt.

Brodie Retallick will start against Ireland despite just 30 minutes of World Cup action (David Davies/PA)

But Hansen insists the 78-cap veteran is ready to go.

"Brodie is a bit of a freak when it comes to fitness. He's got a big motor. He's got the ability to play after long or short breaks, he has put the work in," he said.

"There's no question mark about that. It's all about how long we have to, or want to play him.

"We are very fortunate that we have got a lad called Scott Barrett who is a very good player in his own right so we have the ability to inject some fresh legs into the game.

"Those fresh legs could be the difference makers. We are very fortunate with our bench. It's strong and has been for a long time. When you look at that experience on the bench it does give you a bit of confidence."

Nigel Owens will be the man in charge of Saturday's clash and Hansen is content with the Welshman's appointment as referee.

"You have to watch out for his sense of humour – he's pretty good with the one-liners," joked the All Blacks head coach.

"I think you're focusing on the wrong things if you're worrying about the referee.

Nigel Owens will be the man in the middle for the World Cup quarter-final clash in Tokyo (Ashley Western/PA)

"He has his idiosyncrasies. We know about them, Ireland know them but what I like about Nigel is that he has shown over the years that he is good under pressure. This will be a big-pressure game and we're happy we have got him for this occasion. We will adapt and adjust as we go.

"Ireland are tenacious. They play a structured game that they know they're good at. They don't wander too far off the script and they're not a team that give you a lot of opportunities through mistakes and they're pretty good at keeping the ball.

"When they kick it they kick it to put pressure on your rather than give you a free shot so you just have to adapt and adjust with what is happening in the game. We have made a lot of changes since we last played them, so we'll see how it goes."

amp_article__375230 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2019-10-17 07:09:43:
html db last update - 2019-10-17 07:09:43 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Steve Hansen

Click here for more stories about New Zealand

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool16123137162139
2Chelsea17105237191835
3Arsenal1796234161833
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest179442319431
5Bournemouth178452721628
6Aston Villa178452626028
7Manchester CityMan City178362925427
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle177552721626
9Fulham176742422225
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton176742726125
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1772839251423
12Brentford177283232023
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd176472122-122
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham175572230-820
15Everton163761421-716
16Crystal Palace173771826-816
17Leicester CityLeicester173592137-1614
18Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1733112740-1312
19Ipswich TownIpswich172691632-1612
20Southampton1713131136-256
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .