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'Rugby is bigger than all of us': Steve Hansen confirms why he is helping Wallabies
By Kim Ekin
Former All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen has joined New Zealand radio personality Mike Hosking from Paris to clear up reports the coach has joined the Wallabies.
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The news that the former All Blacks coach had linked up with the Australians left current hooker Dane Coles ‘hurt’ and ‘gobsmacked’ when reporters told him of the move.
But Hansen allayed fears that he would be plotting against his old team at the World Cup, explaining that his involvement is for just ‘3-4 days’ to help out a mate.
“We’re working hard and just like to put everybody’s mind at rest that I haven’t joined the Wallabies for the Rugby World Cup,” he told Mike Hosking Breakfast on Newstalk ZB.
“I’m only here for about 3-4 days at the request of Eddie, a good mate of mine, just to give him some feedback on what he’s doing, as opposed to anything else.
“Rugby is bigger than all of us, so happy to do that.”
“The thing is, if you’re working for someone you’re getting paid, so I’m not working for anyone.”
The Wallabies almost tipped over the All Blacks in the second Bledisloe in Dunedin but the comeback 23-20 win left Eddie Jones winless in his first four Tests in charge.
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From what Hansen has seen from his first day in the Wallabies camp is that they are tracking in the right direction.
“I’m just here as a friend. I’ve only been here less than 24 hours. Personally, I don’t think they’ve got a problem,” he said.
“They’re just a young side that are coming together, and they’ve got a coach that wants the to work hard and be better, and I think they’re buying into that.”
“They’re rebuilding themselves, trying to re-establish themselves. Eddie seems pretty hellbent on having his own Australian style and they’re learning that.”
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Rugby is bigger than all of us, Rugby is only big through us ,without us rugby be nothing,
Rory craig are you serious really steve hansens biggest weakness in this context is his honesty . he will always give his honest answer can you imagine having that sort of intellectual sound board for five days what do you think about that steve this steve sorry boys everything ryan and smitt have done hansen knows its just the worst timing the legacy be fukd
well he isnt contracted to nz and other former allblack coaches have helped other teams
I see the appointment as more of a PR exercise than anything else to be honest. The Wallabies just lost one of their coaches under a cloud - Jones’ calling in his old ‘mate’ isn’t really going to add anything practical to the squad, just deflect from the loss.
Agree. Overblown nonsense some of the reactions. Australia is a young tier two level squad. It is essentially a development charity he is doing.
So sad to see NZ supporters throwing their toys about Hansen. Grow up kids! Rugby is a professional sport. And so are the coaches. They should apply their trade and earn a living where they want to. Rugby is the better of with foreign coaches plying their trade. NZ coaches have plied their trade in Wales and Ireland. Both countries are better off thereafter. Rassie is off to Ireland after the WC. As a Bok supporter I have no problem with that. It is his right to do so. Jones assisted Jake White in the 2007 WC, which we won.
hey silk we appreciate your sadness we can feel your genuine south african kindness and thanks especially for pointing out his right to do so yep rights well that is something nzrs know more about than you and it is our right to identify and call out potential betrayal before a world cup just covering our arses . loose lips sink ships after the world cup i would nt care if he gave eddie a show ... cob you know what i mean
Please don't feel sad on our behalf & mind your own bloody business.
I have no problem with this whatsoever. Steve Hansen has given plenty to NZ rugby and if he wants to help out a trans Tasman mate for a few days, so what. What a bloody storm in a teacup. 😏
It is as if some people have only just realised Rugby went professional. The fact is that Australia are a developing rugby nation once again, with a raw squad, and everyone is aware both Jones and Hansen are strong advocates of developing rugby among lower tier nations. That is as polite and honest as one could summarise Australian Rugby’s current position.
come on steve its not a good look man ' tex if you have to but dont go holding hands world cup is top secret shit you dont whisper sweet nothings to the enemy and right now everyone is our enemy friends afterwards that includes you, you have access to information that is privvy to very few this is not a good look . hugs after the game
Hansen saying he's helping himself without saying he's helping himself. Give that Knighthood back Stevo.
Hansen is a sly dog people. He will be feeding back to his old mate fozzie...works both ways
Eddie knows this and will be feeding him false info
Hansen the kiwi traitor. Who would have thought ?
"rugby is bigger than all of us" - utter rot at international level.