Steve Hansen says England can beat New Zealand's consecutive wins record

By Paul Vinnell

Image: England's win over Australia made it 14 straight victories

Steve Hansen says he would not be surprised if England break New Zealand's record for consecutive international victories next year.

If England - who are up to 14 straight wins after an unbeaten 2016 - win the Six Nations Grand Slam in March, they will have chalked up 19 in a row, beating New Zealand's record of 18.

The All Blacks' run started in August 2015 and was ended by Ireland in Chicago on November 5.

New Zealand coach Hansen says Eddie Jones' men have the ability and drive to overhaul his team's record.

"Of course they can, if they've got the mental fortitude to get up every week and play well," Hansen told Radio Sport.

Advertisement

"We know they're capable of beating them, they went through the last year undefeated. It's there for them to have a crack at.

Image: Donnacha Ryan (centre) of Ireland celebrates following his team's 40-29 victory over New Zealand in Chicago

"It's obviously a very tough thing to do from a preparation and mental point of view without sub-consciously letting complacency slip in."

Also See:

Hansen believes a combination of the pain of England's 2015 World Cup trauma, and Jones is driving England.

"The one thing England have in their favour is that they've had a lot of adversity," he said.

"That World Cup really hurt those players and they've got a steely determination to want to do better and a coach who's driving it.

"That's a good combination to put a lot of wins together."

Upgrade to Sky Sports now and get six months half price

Outbrain