August 4, 2025 • 11 mins
"Best to focus on what's in front of us."
All Blacks assistant coach Scott Hansen is keen not to get ahead of himself ahead of the Rugby Championship.
The team's first two matches of the championship will be against Los Pumas in Argentina, starting next week, and the squad has been named.
Scott caught up with Jason Pine on Sportstalk.
LISTEN ABOVE
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Dancy Wildergrave
from News Talk zed B.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Sun Capped Chiefs and Northland loose forward Simon Parker and
the All Blacks Rugby Championship squad named today popping up
with a.
Speaker 1 (00:19):
Light hand side.
Speaker 3 (00:20):
They are over the side Simon Parker, who scores the
Chiefs first of the night.
Speaker 2 (00:25):
Simon Parker impressing during the Chiefs Super Rugby season before
an untimely injury ruled him out of the latter part
of their run to the final, who didn't play the
semi or the Grand Final. He got through forty minutes
for the Tannifa in their ran Furley Shield challenge against
Tutanucky over the weekend enough for him to be included.
As mentioned, three more uncapped players will travel to Argentina
(00:47):
as injury cover, including Crusaders and Wellington halfback Kyle Preston.
Chiefs and Bay of Plenty flyer Leroy Carter is there
and his MPC teammatee Tavita Muffeleo, George Bauer and Josh
Lord also named his cover. No room for Christian Leo
Willie or Dalton Papoalie, All Blackie and coach Scott Hansen
(01:08):
is with us. Scott, thanks for your time tonight. Must
always be special to name an all Black squad, even
though this isn't the first one of the year. Can
ask about the players who were named to play against
France but couldn't through injury. How good to welcome to
mighty Williams and Wallace Atiti back into the fold.
Speaker 3 (01:25):
Yeah, get that funny. It is oppresively. It is an
exciting day when you get the privilege to announce the
all Black squad for our next campaign. I will also mate,
we still ring all those involved, so whether it be
a body Barrett who's playing there at one hundred and
fortieth tests or someone achieving their first in the line.
(01:46):
So it's a great opportunity to call those people and
to congratulate them. For those boys that are coming back
in Yeah they've done well. So some injuries during super
and the like, but just get back through our medical
staff and prepare themselves to be available for this Campaign's
great for us.
Speaker 2 (02:05):
We heard the news is today that cam Roygard is
nursing a stress for actual. Lets hope that he's not
too long out of the squad. Obviously. Noah Hotham with
his high ankle sprain as well. You've got Cortez on
Artima there, and you've brought in Finlay Christie and experienced
half back and Kyle Prieston a debuton. Can you talk
us through the thought process there all.
Speaker 3 (02:25):
It is exactly that we have the opportunity to call
and Finlant who offers a tremendous amount of experience. We've
had our eyes on him Wipe through super back end
of the Blues was very influenced around his game. And
then you have Kyle who's gone down to the Crusaders,
(02:47):
who started the year really well with them, took an
injury during the year, but came back well by the end,
in particular a test match moment when he came on
against the Chiefs in the final and they gave us
a lot of confidence around where he is in his game.
And it's signed for us to continue to grow our
nine stock. Obviously disappointed for the boys that aren't there
(03:07):
with us, however, a massive opportunity is to see Finlay
and coul Priston back in our environment.
Speaker 2 (03:14):
Another very popular inclusion in your squad for the first
time as Chiefs loose forward Simon Parker, I think you
and I spoke about how impressed you've been with him
right across the Super season. Just at the end he
stuffer that injury which kept him out. How pleased are
you to be able to include Simon Parker and the
All Blacks for the first time.
Speaker 3 (03:32):
Yeah, they have Simon come in the opposite the ability
to play six and eight. He's a big man and
test matches require that, So there's also obviously room for
the smaller, more dynamic, loose forward. By what he gives
us is a good mixture around now loose forwards, the
ability to cover six and eight and when we need to,
(03:52):
we now have the capacity to throw out some big
men that will carry hard get to the game line.
It gives our mixes in the squad a really good flavor.
Speaker 2 (04:01):
Yeah, and you mentioned it there. There is still room
clearly for the dynamic I'm all a loose forward tou
plas good if he's a great example of that. But
as Simon Parker, the kind of big body that you
feel you're going to need in these upcoming physical tests
against Argentina and South Africa in particular.
Speaker 3 (04:18):
Yeah, Well, first and foremost, just giving him the opportunity
and putting the Jersey on him, getting him within the environment,
and then it's for him to decide how that looks
around his performances. We just want to give him the
opportunity as a big man. We feel we can use
him well within our game plan. So excited to have
(04:40):
him in for sure, Ricco.
Speaker 2 (04:41):
Yuan he's listed as an outside back. Is he now
off the table as far as the midfield conversation is
concerned or not?
Speaker 3 (04:50):
No, I don't believe. So we know Reco has paid
a lot of tests at center. We know that he's
a quality center, but just where we are at the moment,
we know that he can cover center, but we just
see him on the wind at stages this year, we
may see him in the thirteen Jersey. We're very lucky
with his experience. He's an absolute competitor. He's getting his
frame and his game back into the wingers role. We're
(05:15):
excited for the team around that. But still with rie K,
he's still a center that we trust and we know
we can put there for quiet.
Speaker 2 (05:24):
Leroy Carter is another one I wanted to ask you
about again. Probably you know they're or thereabouts. When the
squad for the French series was named, he missed out there.
He's in his injury cover for Caleb Clark. What do
you like about Leroy Carter?
Speaker 3 (05:38):
That influence around the ball?
Speaker 2 (05:40):
Jase.
Speaker 3 (05:40):
So he's one of those players that during a game
you hear his name mentioned often. He's around the ball,
He makes things happen around it. His decisive with his carrier.
He can be physical because of his sevens background, very
good at the breakdown. You look at international rugby and
the effort that's put out and the wide breakdowns to
(06:02):
slow our ball down from the opposition. So his strength
out there one maintained position and to be disruptive on
the other side. He came and trained with us in
the Hamilton week and basically ripped up the bits during
the week so that just as all that coaches, we
walked off the field and sort of gave each other
(06:23):
the little whire around. Yep, he may be ready to go,
So we're excited to get him and hit a ball
of energy, physical for a small man to the areas
that he needs to grow in his game. But we've
picking him for all the good books for sure.
Speaker 2 (06:39):
Yeah, and I guess these guys are listed as injury cover,
but well, I guess as Christian Leo Willie showed us
in the French series, just because you're named in that capacity,
it doesn't mean you can't play test matches. You're expecting
that everybody whose name is read out, either in a
full time capacity or his injury cover could play test
rugby before you.
Speaker 3 (06:59):
Over the next little while, we're expecting to prepare them
all to play test match rugby. It's a tough competition,
this one. So each week the focus for us is
to build cohesion and get us our strongest team ready.
So to keep it for us as coaches is promoting
the environment. Everyone's working hard to compete and be available
(07:21):
for selection for sure. Now whether or not everyone is selected, well,
let's just test footy and that's for us what's best
for the team that week.
Speaker 2 (07:29):
How different, Scott, will your preparation be for Argentina compared
to the way you prepared the team for France.
Speaker 3 (07:37):
Yeah, good question. I think we've got a little bit
of cohesion influence in our game. In the first three tests.
We've looked at it obviously and been thrown around where
we can better, where we must be better. There's a
lot of really good positives in our game, but now
we've had a little snapshot of where we are, had
(07:57):
a little look around the world around where rugby's at
and the trends are, and we feel we've got our
game in a good spot. But the massive challenge going
to Argentina again, a team that played well against England
in the most recent series there, but they'll be disappointed,
so they'll be hungry, So looking forward to getting over
(08:18):
and getting in front of them for sure.
Speaker 2 (08:21):
Can you start to plan for South Africa or do
you have to focus exclusively on Argentina for the next
two weeks.
Speaker 3 (08:30):
I think we're best to focus on what's in front
of us and that Test match one against Argentina. But
keep it there is what you can do from it.
So you've always got a viewer where you want to
grow your game, and you've always got a view around
where you need it to be at certain stages. But
for the All Blacks, we just know focusing on each
test being as good as we can on those moments
(08:52):
as what's most important, and from that you build cohesion,
confidence and from that you take your learning. So for us,
raise pretty clear around where our focus is and that's
definitely on Argentina.
Speaker 2 (09:07):
And You've released a bunch of your players back to
NPC duty, and it was great to see so many
of them turning it over the weekend for their provincial sides.
It looked as though most of them enjoyed it too,
even those who were on the losing side of the scoreline.
But those who didn't play in PC, I guess the
ones who had the heavier workload against France, those who
perhaps I could call, you could call your frontline players.
I know you don't distinguish them that way. What have
(09:28):
you asked of you guys who haven't gone back to
NBC in this time and between the French Series and
the Rugby Championship.
Speaker 3 (09:36):
Yeah, I think the first but of the question is
the boys that went back to their provinces. They absolutely
love their provinces. They loved getting back to their clubs.
They love playing for their provinces. And how we finished
the French series in our room was those they get
the opportunity and the privilege to go back to play
for their provinces, play well and lead your province as well.
(09:58):
She experiences and make sure those young players that you
go but back with learn and grow from you. The
other side of that as the boys that don't don't
play put on a really good recharge, re energize, reconfirmed
program through Keilly, our since and our medical and they
(10:20):
do a lot of hard work in the background get
them selves prepared, both physically and mentally for the coming weeks.
And as you've acknowledged, it's apteen the two and then
we go into the Rugby Championship around six tough tests
coming up, so it's just a chance for those boys
to get themselves right. And you think about some of
(10:40):
those boys that have just come through finals footy in
the light and what they needed. So the last number
of weeks have been used really well for them.
Speaker 2 (10:47):
How much you're looking forward to getting back into camp though?
Speaker 3 (10:50):
Yeah? Yeah, the dogs mean the dog's been while walked,
the whites having we look like it's time to go
back to work. So yeah, we're ready for sure, excited
to get in your When you are away from the boys,
you really do miss them. They are every day to
get better there positive, they've got great energy, so when
you're not with them, you do mist my bit.
Speaker 2 (11:12):
Well, we're excited to watch what happens in the coming week. Scott,
thanks for joining us tonight. Really appreciate your time.
Speaker 3 (11:17):
As always, pleasure to learn to you, Matt. Thanks Jase, No,
thank you.
Speaker 2 (11:20):
Scott Scott Henson, the assistant coach of the All Blacks,
joining us on Sports Talk unpacking a few features of
the squad.
Speaker 1 (11:28):
For more from Sports Talk, listen live to News Talks.
It'd be from seven pm weekdays, or follow the podcast
on iHeartRadio.
You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Dancy Wildergrave
from News Talk zed B.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Sun Capped Chiefs and Northland loose forward Simon Parker and
the All Blacks Rugby Championship squad named today popping up
with a.
Speaker 1 (00:19):
Light hand side.
Speaker 3 (00:20):
They are over the side Simon Parker, who scores the
Chiefs first of the night.
Speaker 2 (00:25):
Simon Parker impressing during the Chiefs Super Rugby season before
an untimely injury ruled him out of the latter part
of their run to the final, who didn't play the
semi or the Grand Final. He got through forty minutes
for the Tannifa in their ran Furley Shield challenge against
Tutanucky over the weekend enough for him to be included.
As mentioned, three more uncapped players will travel to Argentina
(00:47):
as injury cover, including Crusaders and Wellington halfback Kyle Preston.
Chiefs and Bay of Plenty flyer Leroy Carter is there
and his MPC teammatee Tavita Muffeleo, George Bauer and Josh
Lord also named his cover. No room for Christian Leo
Willie or Dalton Papoalie, All Blackie and coach Scott Hansen
(01:08):
is with us. Scott, thanks for your time tonight. Must
always be special to name an all Black squad, even
though this isn't the first one of the year. Can
ask about the players who were named to play against
France but couldn't through injury. How good to welcome to
mighty Williams and Wallace Atiti back into the fold.
Speaker 3 (01:25):
Yeah, get that funny. It is oppresively. It is an
exciting day when you get the privilege to announce the
all Black squad for our next campaign. I will also mate,
we still ring all those involved, so whether it be
a body Barrett who's playing there at one hundred and
fortieth tests or someone achieving their first in the line.
(01:46):
So it's a great opportunity to call those people and
to congratulate them. For those boys that are coming back
in Yeah they've done well. So some injuries during super
and the like, but just get back through our medical
staff and prepare themselves to be available for this Campaign's
great for us.
Speaker 2 (02:05):
We heard the news is today that cam Roygard is
nursing a stress for actual. Lets hope that he's not
too long out of the squad. Obviously. Noah Hotham with
his high ankle sprain as well. You've got Cortez on
Artima there, and you've brought in Finlay Christie and experienced
half back and Kyle Prieston a debuton. Can you talk
us through the thought process there all.
Speaker 3 (02:25):
It is exactly that we have the opportunity to call
and Finlant who offers a tremendous amount of experience. We've
had our eyes on him Wipe through super back end
of the Blues was very influenced around his game. And
then you have Kyle who's gone down to the Crusaders,
(02:47):
who started the year really well with them, took an
injury during the year, but came back well by the end,
in particular a test match moment when he came on
against the Chiefs in the final and they gave us
a lot of confidence around where he is in his game.
And it's signed for us to continue to grow our
nine stock. Obviously disappointed for the boys that aren't there
(03:07):
with us, however, a massive opportunity is to see Finlay
and coul Priston back in our environment.
Speaker 2 (03:14):
Another very popular inclusion in your squad for the first
time as Chiefs loose forward Simon Parker, I think you
and I spoke about how impressed you've been with him
right across the Super season. Just at the end he
stuffer that injury which kept him out. How pleased are
you to be able to include Simon Parker and the
All Blacks for the first time.
Speaker 3 (03:32):
Yeah, they have Simon come in the opposite the ability
to play six and eight. He's a big man and
test matches require that, So there's also obviously room for
the smaller, more dynamic, loose forward. By what he gives
us is a good mixture around now loose forwards, the
ability to cover six and eight and when we need to,
(03:52):
we now have the capacity to throw out some big
men that will carry hard get to the game line.
It gives our mixes in the squad a really good flavor.
Speaker 2 (04:01):
Yeah, and you mentioned it there. There is still room
clearly for the dynamic I'm all a loose forward tou
plas good if he's a great example of that. But
as Simon Parker, the kind of big body that you
feel you're going to need in these upcoming physical tests
against Argentina and South Africa in particular.
Speaker 3 (04:18):
Yeah, Well, first and foremost, just giving him the opportunity
and putting the Jersey on him, getting him within the environment,
and then it's for him to decide how that looks
around his performances. We just want to give him the
opportunity as a big man. We feel we can use
him well within our game plan. So excited to have
(04:40):
him in for sure, Ricco.
Speaker 2 (04:41):
Yuan he's listed as an outside back. Is he now
off the table as far as the midfield conversation is
concerned or not?
Speaker 3 (04:50):
No, I don't believe. So we know Reco has paid
a lot of tests at center. We know that he's
a quality center, but just where we are at the moment,
we know that he can cover center, but we just
see him on the wind at stages this year, we
may see him in the thirteen Jersey. We're very lucky
with his experience. He's an absolute competitor. He's getting his
frame and his game back into the wingers role. We're
(05:15):
excited for the team around that. But still with rie K,
he's still a center that we trust and we know
we can put there for quiet.
Speaker 2 (05:24):
Leroy Carter is another one I wanted to ask you
about again. Probably you know they're or thereabouts. When the
squad for the French series was named, he missed out there.
He's in his injury cover for Caleb Clark. What do
you like about Leroy Carter?
Speaker 3 (05:38):
That influence around the ball?
Speaker 2 (05:40):
Jase.
Speaker 3 (05:40):
So he's one of those players that during a game
you hear his name mentioned often. He's around the ball,
He makes things happen around it. His decisive with his carrier.
He can be physical because of his sevens background, very
good at the breakdown. You look at international rugby and
the effort that's put out and the wide breakdowns to
(06:02):
slow our ball down from the opposition. So his strength
out there one maintained position and to be disruptive on
the other side. He came and trained with us in
the Hamilton week and basically ripped up the bits during
the week so that just as all that coaches, we
walked off the field and sort of gave each other
(06:23):
the little whire around. Yep, he may be ready to go,
So we're excited to get him and hit a ball
of energy, physical for a small man to the areas
that he needs to grow in his game. But we've
picking him for all the good books for sure.
Speaker 2 (06:39):
Yeah, and I guess these guys are listed as injury cover,
but well, I guess as Christian Leo Willie showed us
in the French series, just because you're named in that capacity,
it doesn't mean you can't play test matches. You're expecting
that everybody whose name is read out, either in a
full time capacity or his injury cover could play test
rugby before you.
Speaker 3 (06:59):
Over the next little while, we're expecting to prepare them
all to play test match rugby. It's a tough competition,
this one. So each week the focus for us is
to build cohesion and get us our strongest team ready.
So to keep it for us as coaches is promoting
the environment. Everyone's working hard to compete and be available
(07:21):
for selection for sure. Now whether or not everyone is selected, well,
let's just test footy and that's for us what's best
for the team that week.
Speaker 2 (07:29):
How different, Scott, will your preparation be for Argentina compared
to the way you prepared the team for France.
Speaker 3 (07:37):
Yeah, good question. I think we've got a little bit
of cohesion influence in our game. In the first three tests.
We've looked at it obviously and been thrown around where
we can better, where we must be better. There's a
lot of really good positives in our game, but now
we've had a little snapshot of where we are, had
(07:57):
a little look around the world around where rugby's at
and the trends are, and we feel we've got our
game in a good spot. But the massive challenge going
to Argentina again, a team that played well against England
in the most recent series there, but they'll be disappointed,
so they'll be hungry, So looking forward to getting over
(08:18):
and getting in front of them for sure.
Speaker 2 (08:21):
Can you start to plan for South Africa or do
you have to focus exclusively on Argentina for the next
two weeks.
Speaker 3 (08:30):
I think we're best to focus on what's in front
of us and that Test match one against Argentina. But
keep it there is what you can do from it.
So you've always got a viewer where you want to
grow your game, and you've always got a view around
where you need it to be at certain stages. But
for the All Blacks, we just know focusing on each
test being as good as we can on those moments
(08:52):
as what's most important, and from that you build cohesion,
confidence and from that you take your learning. So for us,
raise pretty clear around where our focus is and that's
definitely on Argentina.
Speaker 2 (09:07):
And You've released a bunch of your players back to
NPC duty, and it was great to see so many
of them turning it over the weekend for their provincial sides.
It looked as though most of them enjoyed it too,
even those who were on the losing side of the scoreline.
But those who didn't play in PC, I guess the
ones who had the heavier workload against France, those who
perhaps I could call, you could call your frontline players.
I know you don't distinguish them that way. What have
(09:28):
you asked of you guys who haven't gone back to
NBC in this time and between the French Series and
the Rugby Championship.
Speaker 3 (09:36):
Yeah, I think the first but of the question is
the boys that went back to their provinces. They absolutely
love their provinces. They loved getting back to their clubs.
They love playing for their provinces. And how we finished
the French series in our room was those they get
the opportunity and the privilege to go back to play
for their provinces, play well and lead your province as well.
(09:58):
She experiences and make sure those young players that you
go but back with learn and grow from you. The
other side of that as the boys that don't don't
play put on a really good recharge, re energize, reconfirmed
program through Keilly, our since and our medical and they
(10:20):
do a lot of hard work in the background get
them selves prepared, both physically and mentally for the coming weeks.
And as you've acknowledged, it's apteen the two and then
we go into the Rugby Championship around six tough tests
coming up, so it's just a chance for those boys
to get themselves right. And you think about some of
(10:40):
those boys that have just come through finals footy in
the light and what they needed. So the last number
of weeks have been used really well for them.
Speaker 2 (10:47):
How much you're looking forward to getting back into camp though?
Speaker 3 (10:50):
Yeah? Yeah, the dogs mean the dog's been while walked,
the whites having we look like it's time to go
back to work. So yeah, we're ready for sure, excited
to get in your When you are away from the boys,
you really do miss them. They are every day to
get better there positive, they've got great energy, so when
you're not with them, you do mist my bit.
Speaker 2 (11:12):
Well, we're excited to watch what happens in the coming week. Scott,
thanks for joining us tonight. Really appreciate your time.
Speaker 3 (11:17):
As always, pleasure to learn to you, Matt. Thanks Jase, No,
thank you.
Speaker 2 (11:20):
Scott Scott Henson, the assistant coach of the All Blacks,
joining us on Sports Talk unpacking a few features of
the squad.
Speaker 1 (11:28):
For more from Sports Talk, listen live to News Talks.
It'd be from seven pm weekdays, or follow the podcast
on iHeartRadio.
Popular Podcasts
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show
The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.