Steve Hansen agrees with Steve Tew on All Blacks going solo

All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen thinks it makes sense for the All Blacks to go solo in 2020. Photo / Getty

All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen has backed New Zealand Rugby Union's chief executive Steve Tew's stance on going at it alone if a global season isn't put in place by 2020.

Tew said when the All Blacks existing test schedule, as decided by World Rugby, ends in 2020, the NZRU will keep their promise to reserve their right to negotiate individual test matches.

Speaking to Tony Veitch on Newstalk ZB, Hansen said the global season was possible, but negotiating their own tests made sense from an All Blacks perspective.

"Every year, we're getting asked to play extra games," Hansen said.

"Tewie is right on the money. If we organise our own games, I'm sure we'll get plenty of Northern Hemisphere takers who will to play us. They fill their stadiums when we play and they make a lot of money."

Hansen didn't rule out the global season, calling for the domestic and international seasons to have more flow.

While he doesn't think they will ever get the ideal outcome, everyone could benefit from working together.

"It just needs a willingness for everyone to look at it," he said.

"Everyone will have to make some slight adjustments."

Hansen also responded to comments made by English Rugby chief executive Ian Ritchie who said that England did not want a global season and were happy with the status-quo.

"Just because the England CEO said, "Why do we need to change?," I wouldn't read that there isn't a growing desire to actually have a global season," Hansen said.

"We just need to get the right people in the room with the right mindset."