Steve Hansen fears for All Black players in ‘brutal’ Super Rugby final

The Hurricanes-Highlanders Super Rugby final on Saturday "is going to be brutal" and could damage New Zealand's World Cup strength, according to All Blacks coach Steve Hansen.

But he admits he would not have it any other way with southern hemisphere club rugby supremacy at stake.

"It's going to be a real brutal game," said Hansen, whose play-offs experience as assistant coach of the 2000 champions Canterbury Crusaders fuels his trepidation about the risk of injury to key All Blacks players ahead of the World Cup beginning in September.

The Hurricanes have 12 All Blacks in their squad, compared to five for the Highlanders.

"Whilst I'm excited about it being two New Zealand teams, there is a little bit of holding your breath because you don't want any of those young men to get injured – or anyone for that matter – but not the 17 because they are earmarked to come in and play some of these test matches that we've got to play before we go to the World Cup," said Hansen.

"But watching the two teams play, it's going to be brutal. There's no way you can expect anyone to hold back. You can't. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for both teams. The emotion of it will play a big part."

Emotions will certainly be running high for several senior players, including Hurricanes figureheads Conrad Smith and Ma'a Nonu, who will be playing their last Super Rugby match. Smith (Pau) and Nonu (Toulon) both move to France next season.