Hansen against midweek games on grand slam tour

The All Blacks aren't in favour of midweek games on their season-ending Grand Slam rugby tour of Europe and certainly wouldn't want to take many more than 30 players if such fixtures were introduced.

Assistant coach Steve Hansen hoped more tours could return to the international schedule but only if a global season could be negotiated between the northern and southern hemispheres.

Because of his concern over burnout, he would prefer New Zealand's non-test level professional players spent November and December resting or doing base fitness work rather than touring.

Presently no midweek matches are scheduled on the All Blacks' four-test tour, which kicks off against Wales at Cardiff on November 5.

Hansen said additional games would require their standard tour party size to increase but he didn't want the number of players to blow out as it has done on the current Lions tour -- on which 51 players have been used. The All Blacks took 32 for three tests and the Barbarians clash last year.

"By adding in midweek games, all we're doing really is taking a group of players who should probably be getting themselves in the gym and getting their rest period," Hansen said.

The Wales test is already looming large in Hansen's mind, particularly after they pushed the All Blacks close before losing 25-26 at Cardiff seven months ago and have subsequently won the Six Nations crown.

"It was a huge battle there last time and everyone criticised the All Blacks for only winning by a point. On reflection now, Wales deserved a lot of credit for that performance," said former Welsh coach Hansen.

Hansen believed the Wales players had been the stand-out performers for the Lions.

"It's obvious the Welsh boys in this Lions team have been the leaders, both on and off the field," he said.

"They've always got a smile on their faces, they're the life of the party. The Lions have needed that, otherwise there will have been a lot of sad faces."

- NZPA