Image: EWN
Ex-All Blacks hooker Dane Coles claimed he was “gobsmacked” to learn that rival Australia is getting ready for the Rugby World Cup with new coach Steve Hansen from New Zealand.
As the Wallabies get ready to play France on Sunday in a World Cup warm-up game in Paris, Hansen has agreed to work as an unpaid advisor this week alongside longtime friend and Australia head coach Eddie Jones.
The news that his former All Blacks coach is currently in the Wallabies camp took Coles, a New Zealand Test player with 86 caps, by surprise.
“Yes? Using Hansen’s alias, Coles asked, “Shag, what are you up to?” with obvious disbelief.
To be frank, that hurts a little bit,” he continued.
“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.”
After an All Blacks training session in London, where they are getting ready for their own World Cup warm-up against defending world champions South Africa, New Zealand media broke the news to Coles.
Coles made his debut for New Zealand in the World Cup final against Australia, which Hansen coached them to win.
“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.”
Chosen ahead With more tact, Ardie Savea stated: “Everyone has to do what they have to do. Well done, sir.”
Hansen’s switch to the Wallabies even reached the Wellington parliament’s corridors.
When questioned about Hansen, Prime Minister Chris Hipkins joked to reporters that New Zealand could “cancel his citizenship,” immediately clarifying that the comment was a jest.
In a phone conversation with Newstalk ZB from Paris, a radio station in New Zealand, Hansen clarified that he is watching the Wallabies this week as a favour to Jones.
“I just want to put everybody’s mind at ease that I haven’t joined the Wallabies for the Rugby World Cup,” stated 64-year-old Hansen.
“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 working for anyone, I’m just here as a friend,” he added.
Despite being drawn into separate World Cup pools, the Wallabies and All Blacks may play each other in the knockout stages.
On September 8, New Zealand will play the host France in the opening game. Italy, Namibia, and Uruguay are also placed in Pool A with the two heavyweights.
In Pool C, Australia faces Wales, Fiji, Georgia, and Portugal.