Steve Hansen, the rugby coach who looks most like a TD standing around at a funeral waiting to sympathise with the constituent who has been bereaved, named his squad to face the Irish and British Lions today.
While he was at it, he couldn't resist taking a dig at poor Warren Gatland.
The Lions coach has been under severe press scrutiny since landing in New Zealand a week ago, and has grown extremely impatient with those questioning his style of play, with Warrenball under attack from more angles than it exploits on the rugby field.
Ahead of the defeat to the Blues, Gatland was overheard swearing in exasperation, having been forced to defend it once too often.
Fuck I don't know why I have to fucking keep defending myself.
Since losing that game to the Blues yesterday, Gatland was keen to stress the positives. As part of that case, Gatland played up the strengths of the Auckland Blues and temper the doom that shrouds the test series. He claimed that the Blues, given the length of time they've been training together, would be just as strong as the All Blacks:
There is so much strength in depth in this country, I don’t think there will be a lot of difference between some of the Super Rugby sides and the All Blacks.
These guys have been together for six months. The All Blacks have come together cold.
Playing Super Rugby sides is going to be great preparation for the Test matches for us.
Hansen was having none of this at his press conference, and took a swipe at Gatland with an act of great passive-aggression.
I just think he was trying a bit of humour after struggling a wee bit with his press conference before.
I don’t think there is any comparison between Test rugby and Super Rugby, but he’s probably just trying to make a light comment. I don’t really know.
Here's the New Zealand squad in full, featuring three Barrett brothers along with players who had injury concerns hanging over them, including captain Kieran Read and Dane Coles.
Outside backs: Jordie Barrett, Israel Dagg, Rieko Ioane, Waisake Naholo, Julian Savea, Ben Smith.
Midfielders: Ryan Crotty, Ngani Laumape, Anton Lienert-Brown, Sonny Bill Williams.
Halfbacks: Tawera Kerr-Barlow, TJ Perenara, Aaron Smith.
Loose forwards: Sam Cane, Jerome Kaino, Kieran Read (captain), Ardie Savea, Liam Squire.
Locks: Scott Barrett, Brodie Retallick, Luke Romano, Sam Whitelock.
Props: Wyatt Crockett, Charlie Faumuina, Owen Franks, Joe Moody, Ofa Tu’ungafasi.
Hookers: Dane Coles, Codie Taylor, Nathan Harris.
[Guardian]
