‘The best coach we’ve ever had’
Former All Blacks coach John Hart has hailed Steve Hansen as the All Blacks’ finest coach while Sir Graham Henry said Hansen would experience a sense of ‘‘peace’’ after stepping away from the job.
On a significant day for New Zealand rugby, Hansen announced yesterday that he would not seek an extension beyond the 2019 Rugby World Cup and Hart was in no doubt where Hansen stood in the country’s rich rugby history.
‘‘Steve Hansen’s the best All Blacks coach we’ve had,’’ Hart said.
‘‘He’s done a fantastic job as All Blacks coach and I always thought in the end he’d make this decision on what’s best for him and what is good for the team and he’s obviously reflected on that and decided to step aside.’’
Henry famously led the All Blacks to a World Cup win in 2011 alongside Hansen and Wayne Smith and said yesterday that Hansen’s exit would provide a sense of relief, rather than regret.
‘‘I think he’ll feel at peace,’’ Henry said of Hansen’s decision.
‘‘He’s been coaching international rugby for nigh on 20 years. You’re so committed to the job that you ride over the pressure at the time but your family don’t have that option.
‘‘They’re the ones that really feel it. There’s no doubt that the job takes a toll.’’
Neither Henry nor Hart wanted to be drawn on Hansen’s successor, with the former saying there were a number of good New Zealand coaches.
Hart, however, declared that the successful candidate didn’t need to have international experience but rather ‘‘a strong affinity to New Zealand as a country as much as they do to the All Blacks as a team’’.
‘‘It’s been helpful in the past [coaching overseas], for Graham Henry and Steve Hansen himself, but how much better coaches are they as a result of going overseas? I’m not sure,’’ said Hart, who is now on the Blues’ board.
‘‘Local knowledge, local knowledge of the systems is very important.’’
Henry said he backed Hansen’s own judgment when it came to the timing of his departure – ‘‘If Steve thinks it’s the right time for him then it’s the right time’’ – while Hart said it had given the All Blacks the best chance to win the World Cup.
‘‘I think people have had a massive over-reaction to the year,’’ Hart said of the All Blacks’ performances in 2018.
‘‘We played teams that were at the zenith of their powers and played very well on the day and I think we have to accept that the . . . international gap has closed.
‘‘[But] we’re in better shape than any other team going into the World Cup because Hansen has developed – with his co-selectors – fantastic depth.
‘‘It’s going to take a very good squad to win a World Cup,’’ Hart said. He’s adored for his breakdancing after title wins and eccentric personality, but Scott Robertson believes he’s got the serious side to be the next All Blacks head coach.
Crusaders coach Robertson has emerged as one of several contenders who could potentially take over from Steve Hansen after the World Cup next year. family would be crucial in any decision he made. The couple have three young sons – Cass, Macklan and Beau.
NZR doesn’t plan to start the recruitment process until after next year’s World Cup ends in early November. A new coach could be named before next Christmas.
Robertson, 44, who played 22 tests for the All Blacks between 1998-2002, has made a fine start to
Former All Blacks coach John Hart on Steve Hansen
Sir Graham Henry, former All Blacks coach