Why Dane Coles is the kind of man that the All Blacks, and NZR, need to keep around
I don’t know if Dane Coles is still getting around in that old Mazda.
I don’t cover the Hurricanes anymore and don’t see players darting in and out of the carpark.
The All Blacks always used to stand out, obviously, in their sponsored Ford utes. The Barrett boys were an even more special case, with their Mustangs.
Even blokes who weren’t on the All Blacks’ books were able to rustle up free sign-written utes from somewhere.
The most conspicuous car in the lot, though, was the ageing Mazda station wagon.
It wasn’t beaten up or dirty, it didn’t rattle or blow smoke. It was just the kind of modest Japanese import that so many young New Zealand families own, to ferry kids around and get to and from work.
Only this one belonged to the Hurricanes’ captain and an All Black of some standing.
Coles is off-contract with the Hurricanes at the end of this season and indicated in a recent interview that retirement is on the cards. He’d like to play a final season for his boyhood club – Paraparaumu – and then limit his involvement with rugby to being an enthusiastic dad.
The fact Coles is happy to fade from public view is the precise reason why New Zealand Rugby (NZR) should move heaven and earth to keep the 34-year-old in the game.
Coles is one of those guys who remains deeply rooted in the real world. At a time when many All Blacks carry themselves with the swagger of NBA superstars, the veteran hooker is the type of man to keep teams and team-mates grounded.
He’s never sought the limelight. Never wanted to turn heads with his clothes and his car or to influence the masses via social media.
Coles has returned to live in the area of his youth, because that’s where his friends and family still are. His eldest goes to the same school he went to, because that’s what ordinary New Zealanders do.
They keep it real.
Could Coles have had the biggest Ford Ranger going? Could he have sped around in a Mustang too? Sure he could. But that would have meant putting himself above people, making a fuss and attracting attention.
Coles will long be remembered for his rugby skills. For his combativeness and obvious love of playing and for some tremendous press conference one-liners.
But his greatest contributions have been made behind the scenes. In the innumerable team meetings and in those dressing room moments when he gently pricked the odd inflated ego.
As rugby becomes more professional and goes further down an NFL-type model, with more coaches and support staff and a greater complication of playing roles, the more we need men to cut through all the bluster. Men of action who just want to get out there and batter their opposite number.
Dane Coles is one of those men.
A man connected to his community – and reality – and who values mateship and a beer with the other team afterwards.
Rugby in New Zealand needs to retain these values. It needs to remember that it’s just a game and not the be-all and end-all. Its elite players need to know they’re custodians of a storied jersey and not a commercial brand of their own.
Teams all have professional development officers these days, tasked with helping players develop skills and interests and revenue streams outside of rugby. They’re also sounding boards for those who might be battling emotionally and don’t feel able to confide in a coach or team-mate.
Coles has said the media isn’t for him, despite a turn of phrase and ability to cut through all the waffle that would translate well to television. He also reckons coaching’s not his bag either.
You imagine he’ll be a fine grassroots coach, though, looking after kids’ club teams and instilling a love of the game and values that will last a lifetime.
Comments on RugbyPass
Hats off to Fabian for a very impressive journey to date. Is it as ‘uniquely unlikely’ as Rugby Pass suggests, given Anton Segner’s journey at the Blues?
1 Go to commentsSad that this was not confirmed. When administrators talk about expanding the game they evidently don’t include pathways to the top tier of rugby for teams outside of the old boys club. Rugby deserves better, and certainly Georgia does.
1 Go to commentsLions might take him on if they move on Van Rooyen but I doubt he will want to go back, might consider it a step backwards for himself. Sharks would take him on but if Plumtree goes on to win the challenge cup they will keep him on. Also sharks showing some promising signs recently. Stormers and Bulls are stable and Springboks are already filled up. Quality coach though, interesting to see where he ends up
1 Go to commentsAnd the person responsible for creating a culture of accountability is?
2 Go to commentsMore useless words from Ben Smith -Please get another team to write about. SA really dont need your input, it suck anyway.
264 Go to commentsThis disgraceful episode must result in management and coach team sackings. A new manager with worse results than previous and the coaching staff need to coached. Awful massacre led by donkeys.
1 Go to commentsInteresting article with one glaring mistake. This sentence: “And between the top four nations right now, Ireland, France, South Africa, and New Zealand…” should read: And between the top four nations right now, South Africa, Ireland, New Zealand and France…”. Get it right wistful thinkers, its not that hard.
23 Go to commentsHow did Penny get the gig anyway?
2 Go to commentsNice write up Nick and I would have agreed a week ago. However as you would know Cale & co got absolutely monstered by the Blues back row of Sotutu, Ioane and Papaliti and not all of these 3 are guaranteed a start in the Black jumper. He may need to put some kgs before stepping up, Spring tour? After the week end Joe will be a bit more restless. Will need to pick a mobile tough pack for Wales and hope England does the right thing and bashes the ABs. I like your last paragraph but I would bring Swinton, Hannigan into the 6 role and Bobby V to 8
21 Go to commentsThe Crusaders can still get in to the Play Off’s. The imminent return of outstanding captain Scott Barrett and his All Black team mate Codie Taylor will be a big boost.There are others like Tamaiti Williams too. Two home games coming up. Fellow Crusader fans get there and support these guys. I will be.
1 Go to commentsCant get more Wellington than Proctor.
2 Go to commentsWhy not let the media decide. Like how they choose the head coach. Like most of us we entrust the rugby system to choose. A rugby team includes the coaches. It's collective.
13 Go to commentsHi NIck, I have been very impressed with him and he seems a smart player who can see opportunities which Bobby V _(who must be an international 6_) doesn’t see or have the speed to take advantage of. If he continues to improve and puts on 5kgs then he could be a great 8. He is a bit taller than Keiran Reid at 1.93m and 111 kgs, so his skill set fits his body size and who knows where it will lead. I hope the spate of Achilles tendon issues have been dealt with by the S&C people. It’s been a very long time since Mark Loane and Kefu stood out at 8. The question is will we be able to hold onto him, if he does make it he will be pretty hot property. I disagree with the idea of letting them go to the Northern Hemisphere and then bring them back.
21 Go to commentsBilly Fulton 🤣🤣🤣🤣 garrrmon not even close
13 Go to commentsDoes the AI take into account refs? hahaha Seriously why not have two on field refs to avoid bias?
23 Go to commentsVern challenging this Blues side might be the edge they need to fulfill their potential. Convincing results from strong D and strong carries are hard to argue against.
1 Go to commentsLove seems to add a strong back field defense with speed to close the gap and tackle to his ability to attack, kick and pass (an accurate long pass). This sets him an edge over some of the other names - JRK in particular. Has to be said that Jordan and Stevenson have also been exposed defensively while Love has yet to face test match intensity. Spoilt for choice.
1 Go to commentsHe’s strung together a few strong seasons, I’d like to see him in the ABs and build some depth along with Reiko and ALB. Levi Aumua hasn’t taken the step we hoped to see but time yet.
2 Go to commentsWhere has our good friend Pecos gone!? Similar place to the Crusaders D, the abyss.
4 Go to commentsNice piece Nick. I haven’t seen much of the brumbies this year so will keep my powder dry on charlie, but clearly has the speed and footwork to be damaging in space. Similar to Samu, I’d worry about the size of our pack if the likes of Mcreight and Cale were in the b/row together. Maybe Cale could play a similar finisher role like Samu did for Rennie’s wallabies. Has Cale leapfrogged wilson in your eyes? He obviously has the lineout, but harry probably better (although not great) in the physical stuff and also has great hands in the loose. You’d have to say mcreight and valetini are shoe-ins at 7/8, so the question becomes who matches best with them at 6 and on the bench. I don’t know if he has a high enough ceiling, but id love to see wright given a shot based on how much bad luck he has had with injuries. He may also fit that no-nonsense graft/work rate irish approach…? If schmidt wants size and a 4/6 tweener then I’d probably pick Uru. On the bench I’d have no idea, Wilson if you want to give valetini a rest, and maybe hanigan/wright/uru as 6 replacements.
21 Go to comments