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Steve Hansen joins Wallabies World Cup efforts - report
By Ian Cameron
Former All Blacks head coach Sir Steve Hansen, renowned for his triumphant reign at the helm of New Zealand’s All Blacks, has joined Australia’s coaching staff to aid in their preparations for the upcoming Rugby World Cup in France.
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This development comes as the latest twist in what’s been a disastrous Wallabies’ run-up to the tournament, with the Sydney Morning Herald reporting that Hansen has accepted an invitation to provide guidance and insights to the Wallabies’ coaching team, led by current head coach Eddie Jones.
Having already secured his legacy with the All Blacks by clinching the 2015 World Cup in England, the 64-year-old Hansen who has popped up for the odd World XV coaching gig, will now reportedly help his old rivals to navigate the tournament.
While Hansen will work in an advisory role, his influence could be telling as the embattled Wallabies gear up for their warm-up match against France in Paris this weekend.
Hansen’s remarkable track record speaks for itself. Garnering acclaim as the World Rugby Coach of the Year from 2012 to 2014 and in 2016, alongside clinching the New Zealand Coach of the Year title from 2012 to 2016, Hansen’s strategic prowess has been a cornerstone of the All Blacks’ unparalleled success. Under his stewardship, the team achieved a staggering 88.5 per cent winning ratio in test matches. He steered the All Blacks to victory at the 2015 World Cup and was an assistant coach during the All Blacks’ triumphant Rugby World Cup campaign four years earlier in 2011.
He won a string of Steinlager Series and Investec Rugby Championship wins during his tenure, as well as triumphant tours to the Northern Hemisphere in 2013, 2014, and 2017.
His storied career began in Canterbury, highlighted by numerous NPC First Division titles and his impactful role as an assistant coach for the Crusaders’ title wins in 1999 and 2000.
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In recognition of his indelible contributions, Hansen was appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM) in 2012.
Nice of him to help the Aussies but he will also come into the NZ camp after four days with Australia as he mentioned in a post on Stuff 😀 as the for the criticism of Wayne Smith from one of these posts he has a great rugby mind, that’s why he is called the professor ! He has become performance coach for The All Blacks & Ferns! His always said he would never coach any other team apart from NZ & had numerous offers to coach nearly every team on the planet! He’s a true blue Kiwi that sets him apart by the many kiwi coaches who have gone overseas & taken the money & intellectual property to strengthen how many teams over the years? I can think of Ireland, England, Scotland,Wales, Japan & of course Australia!
what a load of gratuitous crap i know they are all buddy buddies hansen . fossie and a lot of what eddie says about the negative aussie media keeping aussie rugby stifled and stalled is true however when eddie likes the idea of our economy going down cause it aint great as motivation to win rugby fuk him ' anyway watching the matildas play thats what aussie guts is . Aussie sports dont need nz help sort your shit out yourselves the ahletes are there by the dozen
Two time World Cup losing and losing Wales coach and failed All Black lineout coach Hansen is either a traitor, or he has seen the scary improvement in the Wallabies in their last game and is trying to bludge a ride on a brilliant Aussie coach's coat tails.
And stabbing Ian Foster in the back as well. Just to top it off.
Typical bloody kiwi.
Actually come to think of it I wouldn't trust him not to feed intel on Australia back to Foster.
The All Black (& Black Fern) coach who would make the biggest difference is Professor Wayne Smith but he's not for sale!
Is this another case of Kiwi coaches ruining Australia Rugby? Lol.
Deflective PR.
Very nice. Should give the players a boost. That's a lot of World Cup experience in those two blokes.
Very nice of Steve Hansen to help his neighbours. I read elsewhere that (a) he and Eddie Jones are mates from a long way back and (b) he is there for 2 weeks and is doing it gratis. Its a wonderful gesture and deserves applause and respect (and I am an Aussie). Dare I suggest that Eddie Jones might be buying his mate Steve a beer or two for his help.
Another upside is if Hansen's help can even improve the Wallabies by a few %, then that will also help NZ rugby in the long term. Both countries need a healthy competition (SRP, RC and Bledisloe) if they want to keep filling stadiums. The one-sided nature of the last 20 years is killing the game both sides of the ditch. 😁
A strong voice. In support or opposition to Jones?
Ah yes, An All Black great helps the Aussies. Who saw this coming?