Steve Hansen is comfortable with the players he has in his All Blacks group © Getty Images

Enlarge

Steve Hansen believes the All Blacks tour squad will provide the vast majority of the group to contest Rugby World Cup 2015 hosted by England.

"Otherwise we haven't selected very well now, and there must be some horrifically good players coming that I haven't seen," he said. "Although one or two of them, that'd be quite good."

Hansen has steadily altered the All Blacks squad since succeeding Graham Henry after the Rugby World Cup 2011 triumph, introducing nine new caps in 2012 and 12 this year - which could become 13 if T.J. Perenara plays against Ireland at Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Sunday. But that rate of turnover will slow down from next year.

"Hopefully we don't have to introduce too many more. There will be some new faces - that's a natural thing, and who knows who's going to retire. But I don't think we'll go to the extent of another 20, as we've done in the last two years."

Hansen says the current tour group has committed to seeking selection for 2015, with the possible exception of Andrew Hore, whose involvement is uncertain after he failed to earn a Super Rugby contract for next year.

"Otherwise, people are saying, 'well I'm good enough to be here' and as long as they perform well enough in Super Rugby, then they'll get the opportunity."

Hansen is happy with the mix of experience and youth that has carried his team to 13 wins from 13 Tests this year, and he says the current tour has been especially valuable as the intense challenge provided by France and England mirrors what they can expect in the latter stages of the Rugby World Cup 2015.

"What they went through, in terms of mental fortitude, was important," he said. "Staying on task and trusting yourselves and your teammates to do the job is important."