We're sharper than we were in 2012: Hansen

Rugby analyst·NZ Herald·

6 Nov, 2014 04:30 PM5 mins to read

Aaron Cruden has been given the nod over both Dan Carter and Beauden Barrett for the All Blacks No10 jersey against England at Twickenham on Sunday (NZT).Cruden is one of only four players to retain their starting positions from the big victory over the USA in Chicago. The others are second-five Sonny Bill Williams, who was selected ahead of Malakai Fekitoa and Ryan Crotty, and No8 Kieran Read and fullback Israel Dagg.

After being outplayed by a physical England side at Twickenham two years ago, the All Blacks have become a supremely skilful side capable of shock and awe rugby

Caught cold two years ago by an England side that used their physicality to control the game, the All Blacks hope they have too many tricks now to be found out like that again.

Whatever problems England cause, the All Blacks are confident that they will have solutions. New Zealand, in short, are not the team they were this time two years ago when they were exposed as missing the range of attacking options required to play their way out of a choke hold.

Wary that when they lost in London they had become a little predictable and easy to read, the All Blacks believe they have more depth to their game now that will effectively keep England guessing.

Cruden gets nod for All Blacks

All Black coach Steve Hansen isn't suggesting they will rip up the playbook on Saturday and reinvent themselves. He is, however, certain that the team's skill base has expanded to the point where they can mix their options in a way they couldn't in 2012.

It's not just the breadth of skills they have developed that makes them more dangerous - it's also the improvement in execution.

As the All Blacks showed against England and Australia this year, when they come to the boil collectively, they can produce shock and awe rugby that few, if any, teams can survive.

Herald Vault: All Blacks stunned by England (December, 2012)

England's Chris Ashton scores during England's 2012 win over the All Blacks. Photo / Getty Images

"We have been working on all those things for two years," says Hansen. "We have added things to our game - you will have to wait to see if we have added anything else come Saturday - and there is no doubt our skill sets have got better. Way better.

"When we execute them really well, we are a pretty difficult side to beat. There have been a couple of times this year when we haven't been good - and that is about dealing with pressure and about turning up with the right attitude.

"I shouldn't imagine we will have any trouble turning up with the right attitude so now we have got to deal with the momentum swings in the game and controlling the game.

"If we control the rugby ball and the intensity of the speed of the game, then we will be hard to beat."

Hansen's confidence about the team's attitude is partly driven by the fact that a test against England, at Twickenham, is currently one of rugby's great challenges.

Richie McCaw reacts during the All Blacks' 2012 defeat at Twickenham. Photo / Getty Images

The stage is massive, the ground is steeped in history and the All Blacks have made it known that losing to England is one of those experiences best enjoyed in small doses.

What's also likely to help the All Blacks this week, which wasn't the case two years ago, is that they are carrying an energy and enthusiasm to finish the season strongly.

When they came to Europe in 2012, they didn't quite hit the wall, but they arrived in London looking both physically and mentally flat.

That was much the same as when they played in this part of the world last year - they couldn't find another gear down the stretch.

This year, it's entirely different. There hasn't been the vaguest hint of the All Blacks having even half an eye on the season's finish line. They trained hard and long on Tuesday and the intensity, accuracy and focus were all apparent in a way they weren't two years ago.

It's just as apparent that the majority of the players are in good spirits, buoyant, content and eager to make a statement on Saturday.

"It is a long year but Chicago was great for everybody," said Hansen. "It was stimulating to go somewhere that was new. All the young guys got a start so they were excited and the old guys realised just how much they missed playing and the support staff enjoyed being in a different city.

"For the first time in the last three years we have arrived here [London] really fresh and excited."

That mental energy will be important. England, despite being in the midst of an injury crisis, are a side capable of taking control of the ball. Allow them to settle as happened in 2012, let them build pressure through the scoreboard, and they can be more than a handful. They can, in fact, be deadly as they showed two years ago when they scored three second-half tries in 12 minutes to blow the All Blacks away.

"They are a good side and it is a game we could easily lose if we don't turn up with a take-it attitude. We know they will be physical and we also know that they will be looking to play their own game. Stu [England coach Stuart Lancaster] was on record saying they were going to go home and work on their fitness.

"What worries me is that they are a good team."