Rugby Union - Australia Wallabies vs New Zealand All Blacks - Stadium Australia, Sydney, Australia, August 19, 2017. REUTERS/Jason Reed
AUCKLAND (Reuters) - All Blacks coach Steve Hansen on Thursday moved to allay fears his world champion side were becoming stagnant, saying the uneven performances of 2017 were just part of the natural life-cycle of the team.
The All Blacks face a resurgent South Africa at North Harbour Stadium on Saturday with injuries sweeping through a squad which has struggled to reach the levels of 2016.
