7 Nov 2016

Historic loss won't be a millstone for All Blacks

1:48 pm on 7 November 2016

The All Blacks coach Steve Hansen doesn't believe the historic loss to Ireland will a millstone around his side's neck.

A day on from the 40-29 loss in Chicago Steve Hansen says it should be remembered the side has made history in many positive ways.

"I don't think it's something that is going to hang round our necks and strangle us to death," he said.

The historic loss to Ireland won't hang over the All Blacks says coach Steve Hansen.

The historic loss to Ireland won't hang over the All Blacks says coach Steve Hansen. Photo: Photosport

"What we've got to fix is the issues in our game...get (ourselves) off the floor and have a good look in the mirror, coaches included and see what we can do that we didn't do right and front up against Italy.

On opting not to start two specialist locks, with veteran flanker Jerome Kaino partnering Patrick Tuipolotu, Hansen was unapologetic.

"A lot of people are going to say Jerome shouldn't have started at lock but our scrum was really good...the lineout wasn't his problem, it was a throwing problem and Colesy has been throwing really well all year so we are not going to lose too much sleep over that, we'll get him sorted pretty quickly."

Hansen did believe Kaino possibly over thought what he was supposed to be doing in his new role and didn't take on as much of a ball carrying role as usual which is one of his major strengths.

Picking debutant lock Scott Barrett to start could have led to a dent in self in confidence if things hadn't gone well for him said Hansen.

"It's about making sure in the long term that he gets to play well. You wouldn't have wanted him to come on and have a really hard first half and lose his confidence. While he came on and played really well, do we know he would have done that in the first half - don't knokw under the circumstances, so I am still happy with the decision we made," said Hansen.

The All Blacks will welcome back Brodie Retallick in Rome for the Italy test with the Chiefs lock having recovered from a head knock.

Despite the loss Hansen said he's more than happy to return to Chicago.

The All Blacks have no qualms about returning to Solider Field.

The All Blacks have no qualms about returning to Solider Field. Photo: Photosport

"We'd always come back to Chicago. It's a great place and just becaue we got beaten it doesn't mean we are going to sulk and not come back. It's a nice place," said Hansen.

"And to be part what's been a pretty special week in two ways - the first with the Cubs winning was great. The second way the Irish winning wasn't so good but again you're part of history....so we'd come back at the drop of a hat."

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