The extended numbers give Hansen the opportunity to try out personnel and tactics, as well as get used to the conditions they will face at the World Cup in Japan next year. "We are trying to simulate as much as possible the conditions we will face from a selection point of view for Rugby World Cup," Hansen told reporters in Christchurch today. "Then the tour heads to Europe where we get two big games against England and Ireland and then a match against Italy who are part of our pool, so the tour has a lot of benefits from a Rugby World Cup point of view." The policy has been a consistent one, with the coach routinely bringing uncapped Super Rugby players into training camps ahead of home test matches. The extended squad named on Monday also includes experienced test players who have slipped down the pecking order like Luke Romano, Nehe Milner-Skudder and Ngani Laumape, giving them a chance to force their way back into Hansen's World Cup plans.

Source: Otago Daily Times October 15, 2018 02:55 UTC