Hansen blows steam at World Rugby

International Sports

Allblacks coach Steve HansenA frustrated Steve Hansen has fired a rocket at World Rugby, demanding they improve their leadership, listen to coaches and move with the times.

All Blacks coach Hansen, speaking in the aftermath of his side's 3-0 series win over France in New Zealand, accepted he could "get a slap on the knuckles for talking too much" but by delivering a broadside at World Rugby he hopes the sport will benefit from progressive change.

The 2018 tests have been marred by controversial decisions from officials, and this has resulted in Hansen asking the World Rugby representatives to pluck their heads out of the sand.

"It has got to a point where we have got to do something. Because it is starting to affect the game," Hansen said on Sunday.

The recent tests against France have been loaded with controversial issues. During the All Blacks' 49-14 win over France in Dunedin on Saturday night the tourists were incensed that Damian McKenzie was awarded a try when it appeared Baptiste Serin had been blocked by referee John Lacey.

During the second test French fullback Benjamin Fall was red carded by ref Angus Gardner when he collided with Beauden Barrett in the air. In a bizarre twist, Gardner was later thrown under the bus by World Rugby who said he was wrong to send Fall off. And on Saturday night the Wallabies blew up when Israel Folau was yellow carded for a similar incident.

Hansen said the game has changed because it was faster, and was so fluid but World Rugby hasn't moved with the times.

"We haven't really changed the way we ref. We are still doing it the way we used to. We are saying there is one guy controlling the game all the time, and he is not. Because the TMO last night (in Dunedin) had a lot to say in it".