Steve Hansen shoots down suggestion World 12s could hurt New Zealand Rugby – Stuff.co.nz

Michael Steele/Getty Images

Former All Blacks coach Sir Steve Hansen.

Sir Steve Hansen has shot down suggestions the proposed new World 12s competition could hurt New Zealand Rugby, claiming it could even stop key players departing on Japanese sabbaticals.

The former All Blacks coach is an ambassador for the freshly announced 12-a-side competition, which is being touted as the rugby equivalent of the IPL, and is set to launch with a mens tournament in England next year, followed by the inaugural womens tournament in 2023.

New Zealand Rugby plan to work alongside World Rugby in the coming days to get to terms with the proposed competition but, in a statement, general manager of professional rugby and high performance Chris Lendrum made it clear they would not support any competition that impacts domestic rugby, among other factors.

However, Hansen was quick to dismiss the suggestion the proposed competition could hurt the sport in New Zealand, from NPC level to the All Blacks.

READ MORE:* Why Steve Hansen believes World 12s will be irresistible* Steve Tew and Steve Hansen in World 12s rugby evolution * Mark Reason: It's to our eternal shame neglected Ngani Laumape has gone into exile * Ex-All Blacks coach Steve Hansen says NZ Rugby don't owe Aussies anything

No, I dont believe so. The people that are going to be going, the majority are going to be world-class players playing Super Rugby and international rugby, he told Stuff.

There is a lot of negotiating to go on...its not about trying to have a rebel competition, its about trying to have something that fits in for all.

Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images

Former All Blacks coach Steve Hansen, left, and former New Zealand Rugby boss Steve Tew are both involved in World 12s, Hansen as an ambassador, and Tew as a non-executive director.

Using All Blacks Damian McKenzie and Patrick Tuipulotu as examples, two players who are taking Japanese sabbaticals and will miss Super Rugby next year, Hansen said World 12s could result in players staying put.

If these two guys were to be selected in a 12s team, the money would be good enough for them not to have to go away, leave New Zealand, leave their family, leave their franchises. So, I think there are benefits for the domestic game, as well.

World 12s is targetting 192 players for eight franchises. They will play an abbreviated format of the game in teams involving six forwards and six backs, contesting 30-minute matches, with new rules aimed at improving problem areas such as the breakdown and scrum.

It has a goal of generating around $500 million over its first five years, handsomely rewarding all those involved.

ALL BLACKS

'It protects us all'. All Blacks show the vaccination process.

Its that money, and the prospect of rubbing shoulders with the best players in the world, which Hansen believes will make the best players in the world come running.

I think anyone who gets asked will be pretty keen to go, Hansen said, maintaining the new concept would not be gimmicky, and 15s rugby would always be king.

Hannah Peters/Getty Images

Sir Steve Hansen believes World 12s could stop players like All Black Damian McKenzie taking up sabbaticals in Japan.

Administrators will have to listen. It's a really good catalyst to try and get a global season, so we can fit things in properly, and give the players a good rest. Player well-being has been something we've talked a lot about within this group, and leading up to this so far, that's certainly going to be one of the high priorities.

The prospect of finally getting a global season across the line was one factor behind Hansen jumping on board with the concept, as was freshening up the game he believes has lost its way.

Much of that comes down to the way its being officiated, with overcomplicated rules making life difficult for referees, he said.

We need to change what were doing. The officiating of the game is so complex that were not getting any consistency.

We still cant give a coach, a fan, a player one sheet of paper that says this is what the three officials are going to do today. We cant do that. To me, thats diabolical. We keep adding to the rule book, and we should be taking away and making it a simpler game.

World 12s will largely follow the laws of 15s, but with these adaptations:

12 players in a team six forwards and six backs

15-minute halves

Conversions will be drop goals only

Only one scrum reset, followed by a free kick

Scrum infringements are penalised by a differential penalty (a penalty that cannot be kicked at goal)

Here is the original post:

Steve Hansen shoots down suggestion World 12s could hurt New Zealand Rugby - Stuff.co.nz