RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP
All Blacks coach to mix it up as World Cup looms
Wellington — All Blacks coach Steve Hansen will again balance the expectations of winning every Test match while trying to give less experienced players a chance to develop as he beds down his tactics and squad for 2019’s Rugby World Cup. The All Blacks, who are unbeaten in the Rugby Championship over the past two seasons, have arguably their most settled squad after a raft of injuries to senior players kept them out of various series during that time. Captain Kieran Read, lock Brodie Retallick and hooker Dane Coles, all of whom missed the 3-0 series sweep against France in June, have returned to the squad, although Coles is unlikely to see action until the end of the tournament. Loose forwards Sam Cane and Liam Squire were also off the pace in June after returning from injuries and should be back up to speed, adding a combative streak to the pack. Hansen used the France series to blood several new players and while injury and form lapses could rule out a few, it is now highly unlik...
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