All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has issued a warning to Wales by saying they are the team New Zealand want to beat the most on their end-of-year tour.
New Zealand face Scotland, Italy, Wales and England but Hansen, who was Wales' coach between 2002 and 2004, admitted that a win over the Dragons in Cardiff on 24 November would give him the most satisfaction.
"It is a rare thing and it is always nice going back to Wales," he told Walesonline
"It is a special place for me and I felt as if I had 25 years of experience in three seasons.
"It was a good time because I learned a lot and met some great people.
"But it is like anything and they (Wales) are the ones you want to beat the most.
"So let's hope we go over there and put in a performance that we can be proud of."
The All Blacks won the inaugural Rugby Championship and notched 16 consecutive victories before drawing their most recent match with Australia last month.
Their last defeat in the northern hemisphere was in their World Cup quarter-final against France at the Millennium Stadium in 2007 and Hansen insists his players are still highly motivated to finish another European tour unbeaten..
"I think people should look to enjoy these occasions playing Wales and England because they are going to be rippers," he added.
"Wales will be really backing themselves to put one over on us.
"Those are the types of challenges you need at this time of year because it has been a long 12 months and you need something to get you motivated.
"Our fans have huge expectations but you would not want that to change anyway.
"It is those expectations which have set the scene for every All Black team in our history.
"If the fans' expectation is high, the players and coaches have to set that level of expectation even higher. That has helped created the legacy we have today."
Comments
jontheref says...
Hansen also said.
"I think people should look to enjoy these occasions playing Wales and England because they are going to be rippers," he added.
Why the glum English comments, see you weren't ignored!
Posted 16:55 05th November 2012
froggy73 says...
Spartacus, you get a point there. Although I think many fans, when their team perform become arrogant. Just look at leinster_goy. He is THE symbol of the arrogance. However, some guys manage to be arrogant with their team not even performing (jonesy2, Trinats...;-)
Posted 15:35 05th November 2012
heathy says...
Jenksbaj - That is a rather OTT comment to make on Melkdave. Jesus, has he just murdered your mother or something? Steady on mate, he did have his tongue in his cheek so calm yourself down.
Hansen is clearly looking towards Wales as he spent a lot of time here and was Wales' coach. Also, from previous tournaments, they are regarded as NH's strongest team. Yes, England are always mentioned as they generally provide one of the strongest opponents but I agree with the fact the media do not help our cause. Then again, the NZ, Aus and Bok media are just as bad. Also, when Wales win a game then the Welsh fans think they are going to win the next World Cup so it all evens itself out. In fairness Wales 'should' provide the biggest test. However, I'm not sure they will. The Welsh squad have injury problems and they as individuals are not playing at all well ATM. England are a side in transition still and I would just like to see them improve on their last two tournaments/test series. I think England 'can' beat Australia and South Africa. New Zealand? No! Wales need to gel quickly as a team and play individually better then they have all season. Then they may stand a chance of some scalps. Australia for them was very disappointing. Can they beat New Zealand? No! I bet they give them the hardest test though funnily enough.
Posted 15:19 05th November 2012
Melkiwi says...
@ArmchairGeneral he was asked a question by a Walsh paper regarding the game against Wales not Scotland so it's not suprising there is nothing about Scotland. If you bother reading other articales you would see Hansen is showing a lot of respect for the scots. Have a read of this and tell me if the abs are showing arrogance http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/7907864/Steve-Hansen-Scotland-must-be-respected
Posted 15:17 05th November 2012
APV1 says...
I suppose he has to be realistic with his aspirations. They should beat Scotland and Italy, so now he has to focus on Wales.
Naturally he's not even thinking about beating England - one step at a time, eh?
Posted 14:50 05th November 2012
Pembs says...
It's because Wales are the much better team
Posted 14:18 05th November 2012
TVaddict says...
Ouch! That's harsh! Fair enough adding some banter but to tease Wales with such over the top complements is a bit too far. The mockery has simply gone too far this time but don't worry, your big English old brother will stick up for you! :)
Posted 14:17 05th November 2012
Spartacus says...
melkdave, England were always top of the list because of their arrogance. Wales are now far more arrogant. Hope they get smashed.
Posted 13:43 05th November 2012
jenksbaj says...
Who are you 'MELKDAVE!?
You seem to be the first person to comment on every post and from what Iżve seen it's mostly tripe!!!
SH states reasons why he and the AB's want to beat Wales the most.
I suspect another reason is because they find the challenge from Wales is the strongest they will come up against in the NH.
The world No.1 team see the grand slam champs and RWC semi finalists as the most dangerous team they will play this AI...
The reason why England are No.1 usually is because of the way the press and media hype the team up to be world beaters and untouchable. By the way, this is from a fans point of view hence why it's on the forums...coaches don't see it like that and this being the reason why England aren't mentioned!
Do us all a favour and start reading reports thoroughly prior to commenting and unless you have something constructive to say...keep them to yourself for once!!
Posted 13:40 05th November 2012
ArmchairGeneral says...
Completely ignoring their next opponent Scotland. Any other team that would mean they are in trouble in Edinburgh. More arrogance from the men in black. They so deserve to lose a game or two after Hansen and Reads comments.
Posted 13:33 05th November 2012
melkdave says...
Now that is refreshing,i thought England where always number one on every teams hit list to beat lol.It certinally feels that way at times on the forums .Im guessing the fallout from the RWC SF ,and certain spoutings from certain coaches ,mean the ABs feel they have a point to prove
Posted 12:54 05th November 2012