All Blacks: Lineout coach hits at critics

All Black forwards coach Steve Hansen says bringing in a lineout specialist would only create more clutter. Photo / Getty Images

All Blacks' lineout coach Steve Hansen hit back yesterday at criticism of the team's performance against the Springboks on Saturday.

"They have not built any statues yet for critics and wannabes," he said, quoting legendary American football coach Vince Lombardi.

"So my job is not about listening to those people, my job is about making sure we stay on task and do the job well, so there is no point in me getting concerned."

Hansen was bullish about prospects of success with the lineouts this week against the Wallabies in Wellington and claimed the public pressure on him to get them right was nothing compared to his previous life working in the police force and having to tell people of a death in the family.

"That's pressure, this is not pressure. This is a game. We are passionate about it and we want to win but mistakes happen in sport ..."

Lineouts were the most awkward set piece area in rugby, and if the Springboks lost a player like Victor Matfield, they might be like the All Blacks without the injured Ali Williams, he said.

The All Blacks had lost lineouts last week because they were thinking too much of their next tasks. They had redressed those faults in the second half and Hansen expected that to continue this weekend against the Wallabies.

There was no point bringing more advisers in to deal with the issue, as that would only create more clutter, he said.

"We have got enough people, enough expertise in our group to fix the lineouts.

"We just have to make sure we do what we want to do correctly and stay focused on that job and when we do that, our lineout is fine as it was in the second half."

Hansen was speaking as the All Blacks' selectors announced major changes to the team to face the Wallabies.

* Lombardi also said ...

Coaches who can outline plays on a black board are a dime a dozen. The ones who win get inside their player and motivate.

Confidence is contagious. So is lack of confidence.

If winning isn't everything, why do they keep score?

If you can accept losing, you can't win.

Show me a good loser, and I'll show you a loser.

Some of us will do our jobs well and some will not, but we will be judged by only one thing - the result.