All Blacks coach Steve Hansen hasn't held back in his critique of the UK media's appraisal of his side that played Japan on Saturday, in pointed remarks at a press conference in London this morning.
With several All Blacks first team players sent to Europe a week early, Hansen's fresh faced side to take on the Brave Blossoms featured eight debutants, going on to beat Japan 69-31 in Tokyo.
Today Hansen hit back at claims his side was "experimental."
"Be careful with the word experimenting," Hansen began.
"Rugby coaches have got a job to do for today, tomorrow and the future.
"Some of guys over here - I think you called them confetti caps - which I thought was pretty disrespectful to the jersey.
"There's not one of those guys that played (that) didn't do the jersey credit."
Hansen also defended his selections, saying that a number of players from the Japan Test would go on to have lengthy careers in the black jersey.
"The job of the coaching group and the management group is to create a future for that jersey as well.
"We said at the time that there are some risks that come with that, but there's going to be some rewards too. If you look back at that side, there are some players that really put their hand up.
"A lot of those guys may not be involved until 2020, but the experience they've had will stimulate them to go away and become rugby players, and therefore serve New Zealand Rugby better than they have in the past - and they've been doing a pretty good job thus far."
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