7 Jun 2014

England stronger than media making out: Hansen

11:48 am on 7 June 2014

The All Blacks coach Steve Hansen says England will field a stronger team in Saturday night's first Test than the media has made out.

Several of the tourists' front line players weren't considered for the opening match of the series after playing in last weekend's final of England's domestic competition.

Hansen says the team England named has ample experience and all players have played internationally in the last 12 months.

He says their line-up is close to the side that New Zealand played at Twickenham last year.

Hansen says the English players seem confident and have created an environment where they keep quiet and do their work which makes them dangerous.