Hansen handling franchise concerns
CHRIS Boyd will be happy.
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has given himself a new role that will see him become the main conduit between the national team and the five Super Rugby franchises in 2018.
The additional responsibility for the All Blacks gaffer comes after the recent departure of NZ Rugby high performance chief Don Tricker.
Tricker used to be the middle man between the All Blacks and the Super Rugby franchises where the two worlds intersected. Yes, they are all on the same team, but with their own jobs to do, goals to achieve, and player needs to balance, there has inevitably been competing tensions, such as the controversial, but agreed, national training camps for 2018.
Hansen confirmed that he will be taking over Tricker’s role for 2018, which is notable given the number of injured All Blacks returning to rugby, and also the delicate matter of squeezing those aforementioned camps (which the All Blacks view as a necessity) smack back in the midst of Super Rugby.
Hurricanes coach Boyd has already lamented his lack of communication with Hansen (there are, of course, two sides to every story and Hansen’s is somewhat different). He can certainly expect to hear those dulcet tones at the end of a call or three this campaign.
Hansen explained his new role when asked what he wanted from his All Blacks’ incumbents and contenders in Super Rugby.
‘‘You’re always looking for guys you have been working with to continue their development, the growth of their game understanding, and bringing things to their core roles. It’s important for them to work hard and smart, and work in with their franchise coaches,’’ he said.
‘‘We keep out of the way as much as possible . . . our specialist coaches speak to their specialist coaches a lot. We’ve used Don Tricker in the past as the conduit of conversations, but with him gone I’ll take up that role now.
‘‘That will be the only change from our point of view. We just want them to play well and enjoy their rugby.’’
With a high number of All Blacks on the comeback trail from major injury, such as Owen Franks, Joe Moody, Jordie Barrett, Israel Dagg and Nehe Milner-Skudder, as well as Kieran Read and Dane Coles on more longer-term plans, you can imagine the communication lines will be running hot.
Hansen confirmed rehab plans and timetables were worked out among the ‘‘wellbeing’’ departments of the All Blacks and franchises.