All Blacks star Dane Coles ‘gobsmacked’ by former coach Steve Hansen assisting Australia
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Former New Zealand coach Steve Hansen has agreed to assist Australia head coach Eddie Jones (right), a long time friend.
PHOTO: AFP
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WELLINGTON – Veteran All Blacks hooker Dane Coles said he was “gobsmacked” to hear former New Zealand coach Steve Hansen is helping rivals Australia prepare for the Rugby World Cup.
Hansen has agreed to assist Australia coach Eddie Jones,
Coles, who has played 86 Tests for New Zealand, was stunned to hear his ex-All Blacks boss is currently in the Wallabies camp.
“Yeah? Shag what are you up to,” the visibly shocked Coles said, using Hansen’s nickname.
“I’m actually gobsmacked. He’s a bit of an icon in the All Blacks set-up. I’m a bit speechless. It’s a bit disappointing but we can’t do much about that.”
New Zealand media broke the news to Coles following a training session in London, where the All Blacks are preparing for their own World Cup warmup against reigning world champions South Africa.
Hansen coached New Zealand to their 2015 World Cup triumph, in which Coles started in the final against Australia.
“He’s a great man. He’s obviously not in our environment at the moment. I suppose he can help out Eddie,” Coles added.
“Hopefully, he doesn’t tell Eddie all our secrets. I think he’ll be respectful, that’s the main thing.”
Loose forward Ardie Savea was more circumspect, saying: “Everyone’s got to do what they have got to do. Good on him.”
In a phone interview with New Zealand radio station Newstalk ZB from Paris, Hansen explained that he is observing the Wallabies this week as a favour to Jones.
Hansen, 64, said he would “just like to put everybody’s mind at rest that I haven’t joined the Wallabies for the Rugby World Cup”.
“I’m only here for about three or four days at the request of Eddie, a good mate of mine, just to give him some feedback on what he is doing. Rugby is bigger than all of us, so happy to do that,” he added.
Hansen made it clear that he is assisting on a voluntary basis.
“If you are working for someone, you are getting paid. I’m not... I’m just here as a friend,” he added.
The All Blacks and Wallabies have been drawn in different World Cup pools but could meet in the knockout stages.
New Zealand play hosts France in the opening match on Sept 8 – the two heavyweights are drawn in Pool A alongside Italy, Namibia and Uruguay.
Australia play Wales, Fiji, Georgia and Portugal in Pool C.
Meanwhile, the Foul Play Review Official (Bunker) and shot clock will both feature at the World Cup in France, World Rugby confirmed on Monday.
World Rugby says this is aimed at supporting match officials, promoting ball-in-flow and enhancing fan experience at the tournament.
The Foul Play Review “Bunker” will operate out of the International Broadcast Centre in Paris. Referees now have the ability to refer an incident where a red card is not clear and obvious to the Foul Play Review Official.
The shot clock will also be used. This shows the players the 90 seconds they have to take a conversion and the 60sec to kick a penalty.
AFP, REUTERS
