The All Blacks have entered a new era under Dave Rennie, marked by a thrilling 34-32 victory against France in the Nations Championship opener. Former coach Steve Hansen, who witnessed the match live, shared his insights on the team's evolving playstyle, comparing it to the approach under Scott Robertson in previous years.
Speaking on the Rugby Unity show, Hansen expressed his admiration for the new Te Kaha stadium in Christchurch and the vibrant atmosphere it hosted. "It was awesome," Hansen remarked. "The new stadium is something pretty special. Nothing like it anywhere else in New Zealand and it felt like it was something you’d want to be part of every week if there was a game there."
Delving into the All Blacks' performance, Hansen noted a significant shift in their game plan. "They were more inclined to want to use the ball. Not kicking as much. They only kicked six times in the first half. And there is a real enthusiasm or optimism about having to be energetic to get back into the game, so they can do that," he explained.
"They just looked like they want to play more up tempo, but the word I’d used is they had better clarity about what they wanted to do."
Rennie's choice of players like Ruben Love, who started as five-eight, received particular praise. "Love definitely showed that he is up to the mark," said Hansen. He also highlighted the contributions of Sam Darry and Luke Jacobsen, noting that the team's loose forwards had clearly defined and tough roles reminiscent of Sam Cane.
The discussion also touched on the challenges posed by the current use of Television Match Officials (TMOs). Ewen McKenzie, an ex-Wallabies coach on the panel, criticized the overbearing influence of TV producers during games. "My only concern is the TV producer is now circumventing the TMO," McKenzie stated, referring to an incident where a French try was cancelled after repeated replays initiated by the producer.
Hansen agreed, suggesting a simple fix for the issue. "I reckon World Rugby could fix that; they just turn around and say, right, unless you are asked by the referee to comment or look at anything, then you don’t look at it," he proposed.
As Rennie's All Blacks look forward to their next matches, the blend of youthful energy and strategic clarity seems poised to redefine their gameplay, making them a formidable force in international rugby.