All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has fired back at the criticism at the timing of his mid season camps, with New Zealand Super Rugby sides affected by the timing of the call ups.
With Hansen's squad assembling midway through the current season, a number of key players have returned to their Super Rugby sides injured, with the Crusaders losing prop Tim Perry and number eight Jordan Taufua in the last week alone.
Speaking to media today though, Hansen was affirmative that his camps were indeed for the greater good of New Zealand rugby, ahead of next month's Test series with France.
"Everybody's gotta have preparation time," he said.
"In moments like we've got at the moment, everyone's gotta make a sacrifice. We're sacrificing preparation time for a Test match."
Hansen also argued that the All Blacks' camps did not do any harm to the New Zealand sides this week, with only the Hurricanes losing in their clash with the Crusaders.
"What effect did it really have on the outcome of their games?"
"Apart from the Hurricanes, everyone else won.
"We've got to be flexible, we've got to be adaptable in the world we live in.
"Is it ideal - no, it's not."
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