Coles says no to captaincy
Dane Coles has opted not to be considered for All Blacks captaincy this week.
With the squad’s first-string 23 bound for London on Thursday, Coles seemed a logical option to skipper those who will remain in Tokyo to play Japan. Coach Steve Hansen said as much on Sunday.
But, after 11 months out of rugby due to a serious knee injury, the veteran hooker has decided that, respectfully, he doesn’t need the additional pressure.
The 31-year-old endured three aborted comebacks during the provincial season and just wants to get on the park for what will be his first test match since last November last year.
‘‘Nah, just because of the year I’ve had, I’ve got to be a little bit selfish here and it’s probably not the best thing for me to do,’’ Coles said of the captaincy yesterday.
‘‘Whoever that is, I’ll support him. I’ve still got a lead role, if I play, in this team to help. There’s obviously a lot of young guys coming through and whoever the captain is I’ll support him but, for me, that’s probably not the best thing.
‘‘It’s my first game back, hopefully, in the All Blacks and we’ll go from there.’’
Loose forward Luke Whitelock looms as a potential option to be skipper instead. Twenty-two of the 23 who beat Australia 37-20 on Saturday are expected to leave for London this week, with first fiveeighth Richie Mo’unga staying behind to start against Japan.
Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi looks set for a first start at halfback – and to possibly lead the haka – with Coles and Whitelock the senior men in the pack.
Coles was the team’s top hooker prior to his knee injury, suffered against France in Paris, but has had to watch Codie Taylor go from strength to strength in his absence. Coles regards Taylor as the All Blacks’ player of the year thus far, but that doesn’t mean he’s loved every minute of his fellow Horowhenua-kapiti product’s progress.
‘‘If I’m honest, I’m like sitting at home and watching and like ‘s ... . That’s just human nature,’’ said Coles of seeing how well Taylor’s been going.
‘‘You don’t want to make it personal. I’ve played rugby for a few years and when guys make that battle personal it can trip you up. You just have to strip it right back and go ‘OK, I’m going to compete every day and do what’s best for the team’.’’
Meanwhile, centre Jack Goodhue is expected to fly out for London as scheduled. The rising star has battled glandular fever in recent weeks, but is now fit and well and should be the 23rd member of the party that heads to England early.