'Says a lot about Colesy': Why ABs veteran decided to retire in NZ
All Blacks hooker Dane Coles has never followed the status quo throughout his storied career, and the Test veteran isn’t about to start now.
The New Zealand Rugby Union announced earlier this week that Coles is looking to “leave everything on the field this season” before retiring from professional rugby at the end of 2023.
Coles will end his 17 year professional career in New Zealand at the end of the season, and will not follow other All Blacks who have signed deals overseas.
This has been a truly momentous week for New Zealand Rugby, with a number of all-time greats confirming their decisions to embark on a new chapter overseas.
Star duo Aaron Smith and Beauden Barret has signed with Toyota Verblitz, and Brodie Retallick has also inked a deal with Kobe Steelers – his second stint with the Japanese club.
World-class loose forward Ardie Savea is also set to head overseas, along with Richie Mo’unga and Shannon Frizell.
Hurricanes coach Jason Holland said that Coles’ “old school” decision to retire in New Zealand is a reflection of “why he plays the game.”
“It probably says a lot about Colesy, and why he plays the game,” Holland told Newshub.
“There’s a bit of an old school touch that he has.
“While everybody wants to make money, it definitely isn’t a massive priority of his. Playing for the Hurricanes, enjoying his footy and playing for the All Blacks is something that Colesy loves.
“Playing for Poneke, his club in Wellington, is something that he loves doing.
“I think Colesy’s just that old-school guy who wants to enjoy his footy, be around his family and those sorts of things.
“It’s probably a question for Colesy, but I know doing the best thing for his family and his club is around how they live their life, not so much other priorities.”
There are a lot of unknowns facing the All Blacks and Super Rugby teams going into 2024.
As the international careers of many modern day greats come to a close, next year is an opportunity for other players to make their mark.
For the Hurricanes, they’ll be without two club greats.
While Coles and Savea will seemingly leave behind a gaping hole in the Hurricanes’ side, Holland is confident that the players coming through can step up to the plate.
“They’re two of the most influential leaders in New Zealand Rugby in the last three or four years,” he added.
“It’s obviously a big hole – hopefully Ardie will be back after his sabbatical, but for ’24, it’s definitely a big hole.
“There’s been a big emphasis from those two guys in the growth of our leaders. We’ve got guys who are three or four-year Super players now who have learned a hell of a lot, and will fill those spaces.
“We’ve still got guys who are All Blacks, or really experienced players in our group.
“It’s definitely a big hole, (but) with the influence they’ve had on people over the last couple of years, they’ve got a real mindset to help people grow in that space.
“Just like in everyday life, some people leave and some people step up.
“Those two boys will continue to make sure that there’s people who are still here in ’24 that know how Dane Coles led, and bring that to the party when they’re not here.”
The first round of the new Super Rugby Pacific campaign is set to get underway in a couple of weeks, with the champion Crusaders hosting the Chiefs in Christchurch.
As for Coles’ Hurricanes, they’ll travel across the ditch for a blockbuster against the Queensland Reds in Townsville.
Comments on RugbyPass
It’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
22 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
22 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
44 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
4 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
44 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
44 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
4 Go to commentsLet’s not forget about Ardie Savea just yet.
7 Go to commentsThe URC and the Euro Championscup can’t run at the same time, basically dilutes both competitions.
2 Go to comments“While Sotutu should start at No.8 for the All Blacks against England, but it’s only in that arena that he can prove just how good he really is.” And that my friends is where simply hasnt shone despite multiple opportunities. Even in this performance you can see what did him in in the test arena..he almost always still runs at the opposition almost ramrod upright making him easier to stop than it should be.
7 Go to commentsShould have been 0-0 and a message from SR CEO to both teams - “don’t worry about turning up next year”.
4 Go to commentsGreat work Owen Franks. A great of this team, scoring his first try for the Crusaders since 2010.He was beaming, justifiably. A fine win, he and the rest did the job up front.
1 Go to commentsDanny Care. Lang in die tand.
1 Go to commentsBig empty stadium does nothing for atmosphere but munster are playing well with solid performance
1 Go to commentsYes, Fiji can win the World Cup! With that belief plus their christian faith🙏 and hard work it is achievable. Great article. Ian Duncan Fiji resident 1981-84
2 Go to comments