Wynne Gray: More to discuss ahead of Rugby World Cup

Name: Hansen: 'Earn the right to win World Cup'
Uploaded: 2014-11-24T08:53:57+13:00
Duration: 104 s
Description: The New Zealand Rugby Union are looking to lock up Steve Hansen for another two-year term as All Blacks coach before a ball is even kicked at next year's World Cup. In what would be an unprecedented move, Hansen could sign on and assure his future ahead of the tournament, a move that would see the coach retain the reins no matter what happened in England.

By Wynne Gray

NZ Herald·

23 Nov, 2014 04:00 PM3 mins to read

The New Zealand Rugby Union are looking to lock up Steve Hansen for another two-year term as All Blacks coach before a ball is even kicked at next year's World Cup. In what would be an unprecedented move, Hansen could sign on and assure his future ahead of the tournament, a move that would see the coach retain the reins no matter what happened in England.

Breathe now, everyone. A near-crisis was averted in Cardiff, the All Blacks' season is done as Brodie Retallick claimed the award for the best player on the globe this season.

It's time to give the boys in black some space before they pick up their next set of Super Rugby jerseys and head into combat and the defence of their world title.

Rugby will still be nibbling on the fringes of our radar, a fact which was reinforced by an email that hit the inbox nine minutes before kickoff in Cardiff detailing several Chiefs players who would be free for interviews this week.

This is the time for cricket, motor-racing, tennis, sailing, softball, swimming and every other sport connected to summer to ride in and nail our attention. Let's get with that lineup and allow rugby to get onwith its training and planning for next year.

It will feel indecent enough when Super Rugby kicks off a day before the World Cup cricket starts in February. Most of the All Blacks will sit out the early rounds of the tournament until they begin their claims to be part of the squad seeking a repeat global triumph.

In the interval we can ponder ideas and throw them into the summer barbecue conversation if we are struggling with RWS (rugby withdrawal syndrome). Here's a couple.

Israel Dagg is done and dusted

The fullback can cover wing. However, others such as Ben Smith, Charles Piutau, Beauden Barrett and Colin Slade also do that and have more range to their game. Dagg has been hanging on by reputation rather than production. Now he faces his biggest challenge since his 2010 selection.

Victor Vito's fate

The man is a superb athlete and with the selectors looking for widespread bench cover among restricted World Cup numbers, Vito could cover wing and loose-forward. He beat Steven Luatua for a touring spot and turned in a couple of strong performances until his calf called it quits.

World Cups encourage teams who deal in trench warfare

How are the All Blacks going to balance their aerobic destruction of opponents while dealing with the technical set-piece demands and taxing close-quarter confrontation that World Cups deliver? The deeper teams go in the tournament, the more they button down their style to reduce their room for mistakes. Halfback required

It's Aaron Smith then daylight in every aspect of his work. There are murmurs about the reliable Andy Ellis but if we want a wildcard and more utility value in case Smith is hurt or in need of a rest, Aaron Cruden could revive his schoolboy memories to cover 9 and 10.

Reserve props must be specialists

We saw that from Charlie Faumuina and Joe Moody against Wales and that will concern the versatile Ben Franks. With Tony Woodcock due to return, the squeeze will intensify.