Hansen nonplussed by Welsh talk

Editor

Aware that the local Welsh press seem to suggest the New Zealand are there for the taking, Steve Hansen remains unmoved.

Aware that the local Welsh press seem to suggest the New Zealand are there for the taking, Steve Hansen remains unmoved.

Wales haven’t beaten the All Blacks since 1953 but remain optimistic about inflicting a rare win on the touring world champions, even suggesting that they are there for the taking.

Hansen views such statements as tools to increase self-belief in the Wales camp, highlighting that his squad have sometimes done the same in the press to boost their own confidence.

As fired up however as Wales will be, Hansen knows that his ‘good’ side have the ability to get the result.

“Just reading all the newspaper clippings, they seem to think we’re there for the taking,” said Hansen.

“They’ve obviously got a lot of self-belief. They probably feel like they have to say that. Sometimes we find our inner-belief by talking.

“History gives you self-belief and success gives you more self-belief. What makes us believe in ourselves is what we’ve done as a team.

“Wales will come out and chuck everything at us.

“But we know we’re a good side and we know that if we prepare really well we’ve got a good chance of getting the job done.”