2013 Bledisloe Cup: Hype Surrounding Ewen Mckenzie’s Wallabies Does not Bother Steve Hansen
There is much anticipated hype surrounding Wallabies and its newly appointed coach Ewen Mckenzie because of the promise that the latter could possibly revive competitiveness of an ailing national side.
New Zealand coach Steve Hansen has named his side on Thursday and was prompted with questions by the media concerning the build up as well as the Wallabies players' reinforcement of an aura of positivity.
When faced with the inquiry if he felt "mentally challenged" at a press meeting, he brushed it off, answered in the negative and instead gave some of his own thoughts.
"I actually think the better question would be 'is he feeling a bit mentally challenged that he doesn't know which five eighth he wants to play?'," Hansen told ONE News.
"You know, he's in a difficult situation isn't he? Because, I'm imagining, when Robbie Deans wasn't picking Quade Cooper he was probably saying 'I'll pick you Quade, I'll pick you'.
"And our information is telling us he's probably going to pick the other bloke.
"Now there's only two reasons he wouldn't want to tell them. One he's not sure himself, or two, he doesn't think they can cope with the pressure of being out there in the public too early.
"It doesn't bother me a hoot who they play."
Hansen surmised that the Wallabies will field in Brumbies players at the midfield to utilise their rush defence and try to put them under pressure.
All Blacks Line-up for Saturday's Bledisloe Cup Clash:
1. Tony Woodcock
2. Andrew Hore
3. Owen Franks
4. Luke Romano
5. Samuel Whitelock
6. Liam Messam
7. Richie McCaw (captain)
8. Kieran Read
9. Aaron Smith
10. Aaron Cruden
11. Julian Savea
12. Ma'a Nonu
13. Conrad Smith
14. Ben Smith
15. Israel Dagg
Bench: 16. Keven Mealamu, 17. Ben Franks, 18. Charlie Faumuina, 19. Brodie Retallick, 20. Sam Cane, 21. Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 22. Beauden Barrett, 23. Ryan Crotty