No motivation needed for Hansen’s charges

We caught up with New Zealand women's rugby coach Grant Hansen ahead of the three test series between his charges and England. Hansen stepped up from Assistant Coach of the team this year to lead the side bringing with him a wealth of representative coaching experience. The two sides square off at Twickenham this weekend.

First of all, congratulations on your appointment to lead the Black Ferns this season. You've been involved already with the team - so we imagine the decision was an easy one for you?Yes, it is always a real pleasure and honour to work with the Black Ferns and I am really excited at the Challenge that lies ahead. Actually there is only one change to our Management team for 2010 John Kyle comes in as Assistant Coach he has a wealth of experience in the Womens game and will add considerable knowledge.

What is about the top women's players in New Zealand that makes them so capable of winning World Cups despite so few international games every year?The ladies sacrifice a huge amount to be in the Black Ferns, so when they get a chance to wear the Black Jersey they never lack commitment, attitude or ability. This is a special team, full of special people. I have coached several high performance teams in New Zealand and the Black Ferns rank amongst the most highly motivated, committed sports people I have worked with. They set and demand high standards at all times and the rivalry with England means we have to be on top of game. I feel the two teams have a very healthy respect for each other and both countries have taken the womens game to a new level

The NPC made a return this year - have you picked a squad based on the performances in this competition?Yes it was great to have the NPC back this year. With many of the 2010 team either retiring or not being available this year, the NPC was vital for our team selection. This side has a great blend of experience and with 8 new caps it will be interesting to see how they perform against one of the best teams in the world. It was great to see the NPC final live on television here in New Zealand, this was huge for the profile of womens rugby.

How important is it for the women's programme in NZ to include more test games?We would love more tests and would love to play more games in New Zealand. It was fantastic to see that games against England have been locked in for the next three years. We must thank and congratulate the NZRU and the RFUW for their continued support of womens rugby. We would ideally like more games and I know the NZRU are looking into this. Above all the more games we play, the higher the profile the Black ferns will have which ultimately will lead to more women wanting to play the game.

The three tests in England this November mirror the 2009 schedule - is your key goal to win every game, or is it more about identifying the players who can go right through the next cycle to the World Cup?Whenever the Black Ferns take the field there is an expectation to win. The Team sets and demands high standards so of course we will go into this series with an expectation of doing well. With 8 new caps we are hoping to add to our talent base leading up to the next World Cup. Traditionally players make themselves available when World Cups roll around so we are aiming to make it as competitive as possible with depth and talent in all positions.

Has the women's game enjoyed more profile in NZ having won the 2010 World Cup?Yes. We have received good press since returning home for the 2010 World Cup. The NZRU are very proactive in promoting the Black Ferns both as players and role models to young women getting into the game. With the Womens World Cup and the Under 20 World Cup in the NZRU trophy cabinet there was real pressure on the All Backs to add to this!!!!

How else would you like to see the women's game develop in NZ?With the Rugby Sevens going to the Olympics and the Black Ferns doing well, I would like to see the numbers of players increasing. Compared to England we have a relatively small player base, so we need to big a bigger base of talent to enable greater competition at all levels of the game.

You have named a very new looking squad, how important will it be for you to gel quickly?We have had very little time together in New Zealand and very little time between tests in England. The ladies have done a lot of homework before we assemble, but we are used to this and the excitement of being a Black Fern and playing England in England is motivation enough.