All Blacks: Going ahead as normal
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The All Blacks are preparing to face Australia on Saturday without the presence of head coach Steve Hansen whose father is seriously ill.
New Zealand's Rugby Championship winning side assembled on Sunday to gear up for the third Bledisloe Cup Test in Brisbane.
On Monday assistant coach Ian Foster said Hansen will be spending the majority of his time at his father's bedside in Christchurch but insisted that the head coach was still deeply involved in the planning and that their preparations would not be adversely affected his absence.
Richie McCaw and co. are seeking to their 17th consecutive Test win to equal the mark set by the All Blacks from 1965-69 and the Springboks in 1997 and 1998. Lithuania hold the official world record at 18.
"The best thing we can do for him right now is to give him time with his family and do a very good job of preparing for what is going to be a really exciting Test match," said Foster.
"We will just carry on as normal. We've got good structures and good people in the team and we're trucking along."
"The beauty about this team is that we get into really good routines as to how we prepare and we know if we prepare well from Sunday to Monday it gives us a great opportunity to play well on Saturday night.
"Things will happen if we do the process well."
"We are certainly aware of (the record), but there are a few factors this week for us. We've got Kevvie's (hooker Keven Mealamu) 100th Test which is pretty special," added Foster.
Comments
Wallaroo says...
If the All Blacks needed a bit of extra motivation this will do it. I only hope the Wallabies can find an equaliser to lift their game.
God bless you Steve, I pray that you and your family would find peace at this time and that the fond memories of your beloved father will sustain you..
Posted 01:44 17th October 2012
melkdave says...
A real shame for the entire Hanson family ,my best wishes and condolences
Posted 18:54 16th October 2012
APV1 says...
What a shame.
@ Ramage - Hear! Hear!
Posted 16:38 16th October 2012
passtheball says...
The ABs will be wearing black on Saturday anyway - maybe they will wear white armbands, the funeral colour for Chinese . Sounds like his father was a good all round guy and I am starting to change my opinion of his son.
Posted 15:32 16th October 2012
tweedledee49 says...
my sincere condolences to the Hansen family
Posted 14:35 16th October 2012
TheTruthHurts says...
NZ will front up big time for their coach in this match Aus are already struggling, so as far as the match goes, I think NZ may rack up a big score!
Whenever anyone passes away, it is a sad day indeed!
Posted 12:33 16th October 2012
Ferdie says...
16 October 2012: The All Blacks ''family'' are in mourning after it was revealed head coach Steve Hansen's father, Des, died this morning.
Hansen senior, a respected figure in the Christchurch rugby fraternity and a former coach of the Marist club seniors in the 1980s, had been seriously ill.
It is still uncertain when, or if, Steve Hansen would travel to Brisbane for Saturday night's test against the Wallabies at Suncorp Stadium. He didn't attend this morning's practice session at the Linwood club.
All Blacks team manager Darren Shand read a short statement after training. ''The All Blacks family extend our deepest sympathies to Steve and his family at this very difficult time. Steve and the family thank everyone for their messages and support and ask for privacy at this very challenging time.''
Posted 10:55 16th October 2012
Ramage says...
Unfortunately Steve's father has passed away so condolences go out to the Hansen family.
georgesmith you just have no shame your crass post trying to make gold out of this report on the illness of a family member which has resulted in the loss of a loved one. Still you have always been six bottles short of a half dozen and perhaps before you try to score points with your rabid hatred of the Australian coach you will stop think if that is possible and find some other article to post on. This just shows what an idiot you are. In future show some restraint.
Posted 10:20 16th October 2012
Trinats2 says...
Hansen is such a prat, but I wish him and his father all the best.
Kiwilad:
As if your men in black need it !!!
Posted 09:11 16th October 2012
georgesmith says...
R. Deans will never be better than S. Hanson. Also he can never be among the great coaches because his game plan, player selection and tactics are all so poor.
Posted 08:32 16th October 2012
kiwilad says...
And some more motivation for the men in Black.... oh oh poor Robbie.
Posted 01:55 16th October 2012
Carpelone says...
All the best.
Posted 15:29 15th October 2012