A place to call home
Retiring Hurricanes legend Dane Coles will bid farewell to the city he has represented for the past 15 seasons after all, making it back in time for the team’s last guaranteed home game.
Not that the no-nonsense All Blacks hooker wants anyone to make a big deal of his potential Sky Stadium swansong.
The 138-game stalwart, who announced he would be hanging up his boots at the end of 2023, was in danger of missing out on playing another game in Wellington.
Plagued by concussion issues and a calf injury, Coles has not been sighted for the Hurricanes since their 33-17 defeat to the Chiefs on April 15.
Unless they can force their way into the top four, which appears a tall order as the Hurricanes are fifth, four points adrift of the Brumbies heading into the final round, it appears likely that tonight’s clash against the Crusaders will be their last at home.
For 36-year-old Coles, that means that the match could also be his last at the venue where he made his Super Rugby debut back in 2009.
‘‘I’ve tried to take the emotion out of it. It’s cool to be back but I’m not trying to build it up to be a fairytale send off or anything,’’ the understated Coles said.
‘‘I’m a guy that likes to stay in the background but I suppose there’s been a bit of reflection this week, looking back on the memories and the people I’ve played with.’’
A product of Paraparaumu, Coles has spent his entire 15-season career with his hometown Super Rugby team. After scoring on debut in a 26-22 defeat to the
Waratahs in 2009, he has gone on to play a whopping 138 games for the Hurricanes – third only to Julian Savea and TJ Perenara.
Coles was captain of the Hurricanes in 2016, the year they won their only Super Rugby championship after beating the Lions 20-3 in the decider. Reflecting on his
decision to calls it quits, Coles said his body was telling him ‘‘it was time’’.
‘‘My contract was coming to an end and my mind and body have taken a bit of a hammering,’’ he said.
‘‘After this year I thought I had nothing to give, and I was pretty content with the decision.
‘‘To retire in New Zealand was pretty cool, just playing for teams that I’ve really enjoyed playing for and have meant a lot to me as a kid.
‘‘People tell you know when you’re ready, there’s a feeling I think, so that was my decision and I’m happy.
‘‘I’ve moved home, I’ve set myself up, my kids are in school and my family have been a massive factor. I’m a bit of a homebody, to be fair.
‘‘I’ve travelled a lot with rugby and have set myself up at home, so I’m pretty keen to just sail off into the sunset and get onto the next stage of my life.’’
A veteran of 84 tests for the All Blacks, Coles is hoping his final game as a professional rugby player will come in the World Cup final later in the year, but his injury struggles have cast a hint of doubt over his involvement.
‘‘There’s a couple of priorities in my rugby this year and that’s right up there, but you can’t worry about that stuff when you’re injured.
‘‘I can’t control what is going to happen.
‘‘All I can do is stay in the fight and give myself a chance.’’
Although tonight’s game should not have any bearing on where the Hurricanes finish, Coles said a win over the defending champion Crusaders would serve as a huge boost ahead of the quarterfinals.
The Hurricanes head into the game on the back of consecutive defeats to the Chiefs and Blues.
‘‘There’s still a chance [of securing a home quarterfinal] but we’re pretty keen to perform and to win, that’s the bottom line,’’ he said.
‘‘We were pretty gutted after the Blues effort [last weekend] but if we’re going to progress and grab some momentum going into the playoffs then a win would be nice.
‘‘They’re a tough Crusaders side that is hitting their straps but it’s pretty plain and simple for us.’’