Steve Hansen is the 'Puppet Master' in dealings with the media

Steve Hansen has only been in charge of the All Blacks for five games in his short tenure as New Zealand Head Coach thus far, but already he is looking supremely comfortable in the role.

One might say there is even an air of arrogance about the Cantabrian.

Prior to his appointment, there had been worries about Hansen's potential dealings with the media, as he stepped up from his All Blacks' assistant role (where the glare of the cameras is a little less intense). Many Kiwis bristled at the thought of Hansen, journalists, dictophones and cameras in the same room.

It is pretty common knowledge that 'Shags' can be a bit grumpy and there were musings prior to his promotion that despite his proficiency on the training paddock and his obvious technical expertise, the PR side of things may be a jarring and embarassing weakness for the NZRU.

How the public tide of opinion has changed....


Steve Hansen is proving to be a shrewd operator

The man who sat alongside Ted (Graham Henry) for the best part of eight years, has proven himself to be a particularly shrewd operator in recent weeks, much like his predecessor.

His style is altogether different though.

While Ted used his dry wit to dart poison arrows into the hearts of his rivals, often also playing the philosopher, answering questions with questions (and leaving the media to try and interpret them), Hansen has been bold, straight talking and really quite daring.

Many felt he won his battle with old Crusaders pal Robbie Deans by knockout when New Zealand defeated Australia in the opening two games of the Rugby Championship.

Hansen had publicly discected and scrutinised Deans' team selections in the run-up to the Bledisloe encounters, evoking memories of Jose Mourinho's dazzling press conferences with Chelsea FC in the mid noughties. (Mourinho after all had famously once named both his own side and the opposition's team sheet prior to a Champions League tie between Chelsea and Barcelona).

While Hansen hadn't predicted Australia's selections, he certainly placed a fair heap of doubt upon them.

In his opinion, with so many Wallabies removed from the starting line-up since their last meeting at RWC 2011, including the conservative Berrick Barnes ahead of the more mercurial Quade Cooper at 10, Deans had either admitted to getting it wrong with his selections at the World Cup or with his tactics. Take your pick.

What followed were Australian performances riddled with self doubt and a lack of belief. Kurtley Beale, who only a few weeks before had starred for the Rebels turned in an absolute shocker, making elementary mistake after elementary mistake.

Their attacking instincts were also stymied too as the players bought into the 'conservative option first' approach implied by the conservatism of the selections. It played straight into the All Blacks' hands.

One can't help but feel that Hansen himself had played a hand in coaxing out a few of the mistakes made by Australia too. He had turned up the pressure and the Aussies just didn't have the answers. Even Deans himself (who by the way I do rate highly) seemed a little confused in the aftermath, mumbling and bumbling with his answers to reporters.

Upon being asked whether Deans would be feeling the pressure from the losses, Hansen remarked:

"He's bound to be, he's got to be. I think the players are too. They had the same look in their faces. They were flabbergasted, where do we go next, what do we do next? It's not a great position to be in when you are like that, because if you've got no answers, you can't actually improve."

Thud. Australia hit the canvas with that soundbite. It was certainly a killer blow from Hansen and you could just imagine the atmosphere in the Wallabies camp when they heard it.

Defalated? Yes. Pressure? You betcha. Do they have the answers? Who knows.

Hansen has been equally forceful and persuasive in his dealings with his own side though. He's shown a ruthless streak which has probably been missing in recent times with selection.

Sam Whitelock, a mainstay of the New Zealand pack for the last couple of years has been ousted for recent his lack lustre performances this week (they have yo-yo'd throughout the year) and in comes Chiefs tyro Brodie Retallick to take his place.

There was no backside covering. It wasn't a case of Whitelock being rested. Retallick had simply been 'playing better' and warranted selection. Case closed. It's up to Whitelock to get back to his level.

Meanwhile Julian Savea has been given a chance to impress on the wing, after two solid but uninspiring displays from Hosea Gear in the 11 shirt in 2012.

Gone are the days, when Henry would take out of form players and allow ther All Black environment to work its wonders on them. It's either shape up or get shunned now.

Hansen is stamping his mark all over this side. Perhaps the nickname 'Shags' should be replaced with 'Puppet Master'?