AnalysisGeneralPlanet Rugby3d ago

Hansen: Mo'unga won't displace Love — and here's what the All Blacks must get right against the Boks

Hansen backs Love to hold the 10 jersey and breaks down the selection logic for Ellis Park — scrum size, lineout height, and aerial competence are the non-negotiables if the All Blacks want to compete with the Boks.

Steve Hansen is relaxed about the All Blacks' first-five situation, arguing that Love has nailed down the No.10 jersey and Mo'unga's return simply sharpens competition rather than threatening an immediate change. For Hansen, the bigger story is that All Blacks depth is genuinely building across the park — locks, loose forwards, midfield — after years of thin cover in key positions.

More relevant for Springbok supporters is Hansen's breakdown of what Rennie must prioritise at Ellis Park: matching South Africa's scrum weight, targeting the lineout with athletic locks (possibly three of them), and fielding backs who can handle the Boks' aerial kicking game and make quick decisions under pressure. Hansen frames the Bok set-piece and kick-chase as the tests the All Blacks must prepare for first — which tells you plenty about where he thinks the series will be won and lost.

Read the full piece on Planet Rugby

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