Reappointments in the All Blacks

The New Zealand Rugby Chief Executive put a very positive spin on last week’s reappointment of Steve Hansen until the end of 2017.

Steve Tew described this move as’ fantastic news for the All Blacks and New Zealand rugby’.

It probably is fantastic, but it’s also a commonsense decision based on the results which Hansen has managed to produce since taking the reins two years ago. Nobody can argue with 38 wins from 42 test matches. The rest of the world is threatening to close the gap but the All Black coaching group has kept them at bay, frustrating the hell out of them.

What’s just as important is the way Steve Hansen has created an environment in which the older players have thrived and kept alive their desire to play test rugby.

When he took over as coach, Hansen admitted he wanted Richie McCaw as a part of the next World Cup, but he didn’t know in what role. “McCaw could be my number 7, he might be the captain, and he could be just a vital off-field component of the team” he said in 2012.

He’s handled McCaw and others who were in danger of being over the hill by next year- Mealamu, Carter, Nonu, Woodcock and Conrad Smith among them- so superbly they all look certainties to play pivotal roles in the World Cup. This has taken a huge amount of expertise in handling their workloads but more importantly Hansen has provided such an agreeable atmosphere that the players have responded with an increased enthusiasm. It is evident in every game they play.

If the players didn’t like the environment which has developed under the coach they would have certainly voiced their concerns to New Zealand Rugby, but there’ve been no such communications. There may in fact have been some player disapproval if Hansen hadn’t been reappointed.

But there is still the challenge of winning the World Cup away from home soil which has proved beyond the ability of previous All Black coaches.

Last week the major question over the Hansen news was that if the All Blacks do hold the Webb Ellis Trophy after next year’s final, well and good. If not, and things turn sour for the coach, especially with the retirement of some of his key players, what might be the NZR’s response?

Today the likelihood of that happening reduced big time with the confirmation that Wayne Smith has agreed to join the coaching team. Smith was an excellent player, but it’s as a coach that he has excelled. There is not a rugby nation that would not covet Wayne Smith in World Cup year but the All Blacks have snared him and that is outstanding news.

The reappointment of Steve Hansen is welcomed and applauded. The signing of Wayne Smith is a masterstroke and the All Blacks chances of creating World Cup history have just received a massive boost.

ENDS

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