Rather than ordering his group of players to forgo the extra trimmings ahead of the upcoming Six Nations, Hansen said he was happy for the team to enjoy the festive period.
But New Zealander Hansen, speaking at the Lloyds TSB Welsh Player of the Month awards, is confident his returning World Cup heroes will be sensible with the second helpings.
“One thing I’ve tried to install in the group is that they take ownership of themselves rather than anyone telling them what they should and shouldn’t do – and that includes what they eat.” said Hansen, who comes to the end of his tenure as Welsh coach at the end of next year’s tournament.
“They have to have a balance so you can’t turn round and say don’t enjoy Christmas because it’s a time for families to enjoy.
“But they’re big boys now so they should know what’s good for them and what isn’t.”
It isn’t the first time the Welsh coach has allowed his team to look after themselves. The World Cup squad were allowed to cook their own meals while in lodgings in Australia, forging a responsibility and team spirit which saw them come so close to dumping eventual winners England out of the tournament.
The fitness levels of the Welsh team was one of the major plusses to come out of the side’s Southern Hemisphere stay and the former Canterbury coach is obviously confident his players won’t let that slip.
And Hansen, who is being tipped to join the New Zealand set up should Graham Henry land the All Blacks job, even admitted an extra mince pie or two could benefit the slighter members of his squad.
“There’s one or two that really don’t need the extra mince pies and they’ll suffer if they do, ” quipped Hansen. “But there’s one or two who could probably do with the extra helping.
“If they have had to play the next day obviously they wouldn’t have been able to overdo the champagne.
“But I think the fixture list has favoured them this year so they’ll be able to relax a bit more.”
Just two of the Welsh regions are in action over Christmas week, the Blues and the warriors meeting in the Celtic League clash at the Arms Park.
