Tokyo (AFP)
Coach Steve Hansen on Sunday called the All Blacks to "swallow disappointment and stand up" after their first World Cup defeat in 12 years against England (19-7) in the semifinals at Yokohama (suburb from Tokyo).
"Nothing will relieve the pain, you have to keep it in a corner of your head and use it.It still hurts, as you imagine, and I'm sure the whole country is suffering." (This defeat) hurts on the stomach, but when you lose, you must be humble, reduce disappointment and stand up "Hansen, who will leave his post, has been busy since the end of 2011, at the end of the match for the 3rd place. , Friday in Tokyo.
"It is in adversity that one measures one's strength of character," he added.
His captain Kieran Read, who will put an end to his international career after his very likely 127th selection on Friday, for his part acknowledged that "the pill was hard to swallow".
"It was my (34th) birthday yesterday and when I got back to the hotel I had messages from my kids - it puts things in perspective, and my kids will love me," said Read, which saw Saturday its first defeat in World Cup, where the All Blacks had not lost since 2007 (quarter-final against France), then lining up 18 successes.
N.8 pointed out that the youngest members of the team had "the opportunity to come back in four years, they will use this disappointment and come back stronger".
Hansen called on the players to "get back on the saddle" and the All Blacks to "learn the lessons" from this elimination. "You always find reasons for defeat, and maybe hidden things have been revealed," he added.
© 2019 AFP