The departure of South Africa's powerhouse teams—the Bulls, Lions, Stormers, and Sharks—from Super Rugby in 2020 to join the United Rugby Championship has left a noticeable void, according to Sir Steve Hansen, one of the All Blacks' most revered former head coaches. This shift has sparked debate about the quality of the Super Rugby Pacific, a competition that Hansen still holds in high regard.
While coaching Japanese club Toyota Verblitz, Hansen keeps a keen eye on developments in the Super Rugby Pacific. "Quite a bit, it’s an exciting time for New Zealand rugby," he revealed on the DSPN podcast with Martin Devlin. Hansen's perspective is that the essence of the game remains strong, driven by the high caliber of players in New Zealand. "Great players play to their own standards, and we are fortunate that we’ve got a lot of very, very talented players in New Zealand who want to be great, and they force other players to rise to those standards. So the standard’s fine. No problem," he stated confidently.
"Great players play to their own standards, and we are fortunate that we’ve got a lot of very, very talented players in New Zealand who want to be great." - Sir Steve Hansen
Looking ahead, Hansen supports the upcoming Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Tour to South Africa as an invaluable preparatory step for the All Blacks, under the new leadership of Dave Rennie. This tour, featuring matches against the four URC clubs, offers the team a unique opportunity to gauge their prowess against formidable South African sides. "One of the things we miss is not having them in the Super competition because you’re measuring yourself against the style of footy they play all the time," Hansen noted. He sees this tour as a prime chance for the All Blacks to adapt and apply their own strategies.
The prospect of touring South Africa excites Hansen, who reminisces about the old days when tours were a staple. "We haven’t done it for a long, long time, and you go back into the old days, it used to be exciting. As a kid, you’d get up to listen to the radio and be on tour, but we haven’t done that for many years and what a great place to go," he reflected. South Africa, with its rich rugby history and current strong form, presents a thrilling challenge for New Zealand, traditionally their toughest competitor.
As the Rugby World Cup approaches, Hansen’s insights remind us of the dynamic nature of rugby union, where historical rivalries and new challenges blend to create the thrilling spectacle that captivates fans worldwide. This tour not only serves as preparation for the global tournament but also as an opportunity to renew and celebrate one of rugby’s greatest rivalries.
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The departure of South Africa's powerhouse teams—the Bulls, Lions, Stormers, and Sharks—from Super Rugby in 2020 to join the United Rugby Championship has left a noticeable void, according to Sir Steve Hansen, one of the All Blacks' most revered former head coaches. This shift has sparked debate about the quality of the Super Rugby Pacific, a competition that Hansen still holds in high regard.
While coaching Japanese club Toyota Verblitz, Hansen keeps a keen eye on developments in the Super Rugby Pacific. "Quite a bit, it’s an exciting time for New Zealand rugby," he revealed on the DSPN podcast with Martin Devlin. Hansen's perspective is that the essence of the game remains strong, driven by the high caliber of players in New Zealand. "Great players play to their own standards, and we are fortunate that we’ve got a lot of very, very talented players in New Zealand who want to be great, and they force other players to rise to those standards. So the standard’s fine. No problem," he stated confidently.
"Great players play to their own standards, and we are fortunate that we’ve got a lot of very, very talented players in New Zealand who want to be great." - Sir Steve Hansen
Looking ahead, Hansen supports the upcoming Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Tour to South Africa as an invaluable preparatory step for the All Blacks, under the new leadership of Dave Rennie. This tour, featuring matches against the four URC clubs, offers the team a unique opportunity to gauge their prowess against formidable South African sides. "One of the things we miss is not having them in the Super competition because you’re measuring yourself against the style of footy they play all the time," Hansen noted. He sees this tour as a prime chance for the All Blacks to adapt and apply their own strategies.
The prospect of touring South Africa excites Hansen, who reminisces about the old days when tours were a staple. "We haven’t done it for a long, long time, and you go back into the old days, it used to be exciting. As a kid, you’d get up to listen to the radio and be on tour, but we haven’t done that for many years and what a great place to go," he reflected. South Africa, with its rich rugby history and current strong form, presents a thrilling challenge for New Zealand, traditionally their toughest competitor.
As the Rugby World Cup approaches, Hansen’s insights remind us of the dynamic nature of rugby union, where historical rivalries and new challenges blend to create the thrilling spectacle that captivates fans worldwide. This tour not only serves as preparation for the global tournament but also as an opportunity to renew and celebrate one of rugby’s greatest rivalries.