Rugby
1News

Steve Hansen says plenty of competition on the wings, but Reece and Bridge are current first picks

October 4, 2019

Hansen said Rieko Ioane and Ben Smith are putting pressure on for a starting berth.

After naming his squad to face Namibia yesterday, All Blacks coach Steve Hansen wasn't shy about his picks for the two wingers.

Hansen gave Rieko Ioane the No.11 jersey for the All Blacks' 63-0 hammering of Canada on Tuesday night but with the knockout stages of this year's World Cup drawing closer, the coach has gone back to rookie speedsters Sevu Reece and George Bridge.

When asked by a reporter if the young duo were currently his "number one choices", Hansen responded by saying the reporter had stated the obvious.

"They played against South Africa, they played against Australia but now they've got to turn out and play well against Namibia."

At the start of the season, Hansen was using Ioane and Ben Smith but their form led him to look elsewhere and both Reece and Bridge took their opportunities.

But Hansen said just as they earned their spots, they can lose them as quickly.

"Rieko showed a bit, [Smith] is starting to put a bit of form on the track as well.

"It's a contest, it's one that's there all the time and we'll pick the two guys that are playing the best."

SHARE ME

More Stories