Hansen Stressing.

"READ AND SAVEA COULD BE SELECTED FOR SECOND TEST" I have to be honest here but that reeks of desperation and stress.Hansen had no idea that the first test was going to go the way it did.I think he thought that there will be some teething problems but by the 25+/- min these would have sorted themselves.Basically just nerves.But that never materialized. Let us not knock the All-Blacks.Give credit where it is due.Last year they did have a perfect season and they fronted up to everything thrown at them from kitchen sinks to an Irish uproar.So by no means is this team a bad team.Also it needs to be said that Hansen is not a bad coach.He knows about the organization of player's skills and where to utilize them to best effect.That is something that every coach should aspire to. So the question is...what happened in Ireland in November/December and with the super rugby season showing us that a fair few teams in Nzl'nd having very close competition with in their own conference,what is happening to their rugby.The wild breaks(that honestly we have only seen from Barret and Fekitoa).The powerful backs that could bounce people off and with humiliating effect(Dagg vs Savea)Forward dominance(Ali Williams and Brad Thorn combined with McCaw) Maybe the lack of the skills from Carter in the pivot position really has come to effect.Not knocking Cruden,he is doing well for himself.By why have a BMW when you could have a Ferrari?I honestly think it is a combination of things.We can not really say that players are aging as Victor Matfield is setting new boundaries for that.but it is a factor to consider and also fatigue. To be the best all the time takes a lot more focus and determination.I saw a few players on the field on Saturday for Nz'lnd that were tired and disinterested.Woodcock looked like he could not be bothered and McCaw was out on his feet.Not because they are bad players but because they have done it all ready and the passion is dwindling.In the midfield we can all see what six months did for C Smith.He was sharp and on fire and ready for most thing but Nonu was unfocussed and he was again more concerned with the player then the ball. The players that showed they wanted some game time were in my books Jane,Kaino,Messam,B Smith,Cruden and Vito. The rest were average.And the score line reflects it.Lastly we look at Isreal Dagg.A player that did all he could to feature in the 2011 RWC to get Mills Muliaina to give up his shirt.And Dagg was exelent in 2010 and 11 but he is not on form.I think it was the first time that he was replaced after only 55min on the pitch.He has sat a few games for the Saders on the bench and I wonder if Hansen is noticing something here. With in 15min of the second half a number of substitutions were made.Now to settle things down Read and Savea are rushed back.Read isnt ready.If he has any sense he should sit it out till his health is fully restored.Rugby is one thing but putting your health at risk for reputation is just silly.We might see Barret at fullback this week again. What ever happens,if winning becomes a job and not a passion the cracks will only get bigger.I am not predicting anything but that you cannot be on top all the time is true.At some point you will loose momentum and start to slide.It is just the natural progression of the game.

 FA their team is at a transitional point where they have to renew. Hansen like meyer is clingng to older players who he is loyal to. I wrote last year that unless they renew themsleves the writing was on the wall.Little did I think meyer would have gone a similar route!Hope you get over all that happened during the war. L ay it all at the cross and seek Him and you will find rest for your soul.

 The All-Blacks are going to struggle this year big time.The way the Ozzies played against the French(that seem to be in a wilderness) tells me that they better prepare the headline excuses now.Even i am worried about the rolling Orange machine from Australia.I am excited to see what the English will do this week end.I was thinking that Tuilagi should dress for the wing,he will be hard to stop and it will send a clear message to Hansen as to where they are in preparation regarding the RWC 2015.I predict that the English could pull a win out of the bag. On a another note,you are right.The hardest part for me is that I struggle to let go.My marriage is on the rocks and I need to leave the army.I know that I am no longer fit to serve and I havent been for over a year now.Its like swimming in honey.