Ex-England captain: Supersized All Blacks squad 'smart thinking' by Steve HansenJOSEPH JOHNSON/STUFFSteve Hansen tells why he has selected 51 All Blacks, his feelings about government sponsorship and Matt Todd's inclusionFormer England captain Lawrence Dallaglio has backed the decision to select 51 players in the latest All Blacks squad as "smart thinking" from Steve Hansen ahead of next year's World Cup. All Blacks coach Hansen on Monday revealed the large squad for their upcoming tour to Japan and Europe for tests against Australia, Japan, England, Ireland and Italy. "It's only for four days that we're going to have 51 players," he said. The main squad of 32 will head to Japan to play a dead rubber Bledisloe Cup test against Australia on October 27. Following that match, 22 of the squad will head directly to London to prepare to tackle England on November 11.

Source: Stuff October 15, 2018 22:07 UTC