26 Nov 2012

Hansen says they're not thugs

7:23 am on 26 November 2012

The All Blacks coach Steve Hansen rejects any suggestion that his players deliberately go out hurt opposition players.

The British media has been quick to label the All Blacks thugs after Andrew Hore hit a Welsh player late and from behind in yesterday's test in Cardiff.

Hore will be cited for the incident, 2 weeks after Adam Thompson was suspended for stamping.

Hansen says there is never any intention to hurt....

meanwhile Hansen says first five Dan Carter remains 50-50 to be fit to play England this weekend and that is why they've called up Tom Taylor.... they've also called up Hika Elliott from the touring Maori side as hooker cover with Hore to be cited and Keven Mealamu still recovering from a calf strain.