Hansen: All Blacks 'robbed' of RWC glory

12/09/2024 07:26 AM

Former head coach Steve Hansen has launched a passionate defence of New Zealand's 2023 Rugby World Cup campaign, insisting the Kiwis were denied a title victory.

Speaking to DSPN‘s Martin Devlin, Hansen pulled no punches about the All Blacks' defeat to the Springboks in Paris last year, as well as their overall performance at the tournament.

“This is a team that should have won the World Cup, they were robbed of the World Cup as far as I’m concerned with some poor decisions that were out of their control which cost them a World Cup,” Hansen said.

The World Cup-winning tactician also assessed the national team's progress and player depth during Scott Robertson’s first year at the helm.

ALSO: ASG to circle back on SARU equity deal?

“I wouldn’t say we’ve made great strides [up front], I still think we’re going as well as we were,” Hansen said.

“In the prop stocks they’ve got at the moment, I’d have them in 2019; they’re good, young men and playing really well."

Reflecting on Robertson’s appointment, Hansen acknowledged the challenging transition: “I think it starts with the people running it, I think they’ve worked out this job wasn’t as easy as they thought it was going to be."

The All Blacks concluded the 2024 campaign with 10 wins and four defeats. “They’ve had some good lessons, and they’ve openly said that which is great because they’re acknowledging they have to learn,” Hansen added.

Photo: Juan Jose Gasparini/Gallo Images

The post Hansen: All Blacks ‘robbed’ of RWC glory appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.