All Blacks: Hansen under pressure to overhaul pack

All Blacks forwards coach Steve Hansen admitted his side were outmuscled by the French. Photo / Getty Images

Steve Hansen has called for calm from supporters but the opposite from his forward pack as the All Blacks assistant rugby coach goes under the blowtorch like never before this week.

In the space of seven days, Hansen must overhaul the technique and attitude of his under-strength pack, who were schooled in the lost art of tight, driving rugby during Saturday's 27-22 loss to France at Carisbrook.

Before then he must select the right starting eight for the second test in Wellington on Saturday, with his loose trio set to be overhauled thanks to the return to fitness of blindside flanker Jerome Kaino and departure of injured openside Adam Thomson. Hooker Andrew Hore is also likely to be missing with rib pain.

Two uncapped Junior All Blacks reinforcements - flanker George Whitelock and hooker Aled de Malmanche - joined the squad last night and may be rushed straight onto the Westpac Stadium reserve bench, such is the paucity of fit options.

Hansen has rarely had his pride bruised as much since joining the All Blacks coaching staff under Graham Henry in 2004.

"We just got outmuscled and that's not easy to stomach really," he said.

"Now we'll see what they've got deep down inside them."

Hansen believed the players had the strength of character needed to bounce back and square the series, with victory the only way to retain the Dave Gallaher Cup.

The All Blacks traditionally struggle in the first test of the year but don't usually have such a green tinge to their makeup, prompting Hansen to call on the public and media not to get carried away with their criticism.

"Most rugby people understand we're under the pump a bit in terms of personnel we pick from," he said.

"There will be the odd one that will be hysterical I suppose but there's no point worrying about that.

"All the senior guys will come back eventually and when that happens, we're going to have a lot more depth. I don't think it's all doom and gloom."

A major problem on Saturday was the lack of collective calm when France applied all the early stress, dominating physically and harrying New Zealand with a rush defence to open up a 17-3 lead.

"You just can't buy experience. (The players) have had one game at it and they got a rude awakening," Hansen said.

"We had a number of guys who hadn't experienced that intensity and got caught out by it."

Winger Cory Jane, fullback/captain Mils Muliaina and reserve halfback Piri Weepu were the only backs who could hold their heads up among a disjointed back division.

However, the real problems were up front.

No 8 Liam Messam had some dashing moments but missed a clutch of tackles in the sort of inconsistent outing matched by most of the pack.

Even the experienced All Blacks front row was rocked onto the back foot.

Prop Neemia Tialata struggled both with French loosehead Sylvain Marconnet, in his 75th test, and the rulings of young Irish referee George Clancy in just his sixth.

The scrum wobbles caused ripples elsewhere, with a failure to cross the advantage line forcing the backs to either crash into aggressive defenders, drift aimlessly across field or kick poorly.

"We've got work to do right across the park," Hansen said.

"It took us some time to understand that 'hey, this is different to what I've been in before. I've got to be bigger, I've got to be stronger and mentally I've got to be tougher'.

"We've been through an experience and learned from it. We'll be a better side because of it."

Hansen will spend time working out ways to reduce the influence of French flanker Thierry Dusautoir, in much the same way other teams plan to counter All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw - when fit.

Captain Dusautoir's powerhouse defensive work made him the most influential figure of the test, much as he was in France's 2007 World Cup quarterfinal triumph at Cardiff.

He gave an insight into his focus when asked for some thoughts on the ailing All Blacks.

"We were more preoccupied with our game than the All Blacks," he said.

"We knew there were quite a few changes in their team, and that's why they were quite hesitant in their game."

- NZPA