RugbyU: We Are Underdogs, Says Straight-faced Hansen

DUBLIN, , (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 17th Nov, 2016 ) : New Zealand coach Steve Hansen resolutely stood by his claim the world champions are the underdogs going into Saturday's Test with Ireland in Dublin based on their historic loss to them a fortnight ago.

The 57-year-old New Zealander, who last Sunday was named world coach of the year for the fourth time in five years, said the facts served as evidence for his statement. The Irish -- also coached by a Kiwi in Joe Schmidt -- ended a 111-year wait after 28 previous attempts with a superb 40-29 victory over the All Blacks in the unlikely environs of Chicago, Illinois, a fortnight ago.

The performance drew admirative tweets from such diverse characters as authoress JK Rowling and US vice-president Joe Biden as defeat stopped the All Blacks' world record Test run of 18 successive wins in its tracks.

"Yes we are the underdog," said Hansen at a press conference on Thursday. "Just go back to Chicago, it was 40-29 and they won easy. "Strange or whatever, that is a fact and you can't argue with facts.

They are what they are." Hansen, who guided New Zealand to a successful defence of their World Cup title last year, said he didn't want to be in charge of the first All Blacks side since 2009 to lose consecutive Tests to the same opposition -- their predecessors losing to then world champions South Africa.

"How would you feel? You would certainly not be laughing about it," he said. "However, it is also true we don't have a God given right to win every match. If the team is good enough on the day to beat us so be it."