All Blacks coach has big boots to fill

For newly appointed All Blacks coach Steve Hansen, following in the footsteps of his World Cup-winning predecessor Graham Henry is an all-too familiar feeling.

Henry’s influence has loomed over Hansen’s coaching career for more than a decade, first in the Welsh national team set-up and, for the past eight years, with the All Blacks in New Zealand.

The 52-year-old now has the chance to emerge from his mentor’s shadow in one of the most prestigious and intensely scrutinised roles in world rugby, after being appointed for an initial two-year term on Friday.

“From a coaching point of view in this sport it’s the greatest honour you can receive… it comes with a huge amount of responsibility,” he said.

“All I can say is I’m a passionate New Zealander, passionate about New Zealand rugby and passionate about the All Blacks jersey and its legacy.”

The burly former policeman began his coaching career in Canterbury in the 1990s, guiding the Crusaders to Super Rugby titles in 1999 as an assistant and in 2000 as head coach.

Henry first came calling in 2001 when he was coaching Wales, appointing Hansen as his assistant as he surrounded himself with New Zealanders to try to revive Welsh rugby’s glory days.

Hansen took over as head coach when Henry returned to New Zealand in 2002 but enjoyed mixed success, including an 11-Test losing streak.

While Wales’ quarterfinal run in the 2003 World Cup – losing narrowly to eventual champions England – silenced some critics, his record of 10 wins from 29 games compared unfavourably to Henry’s 20 wins from 34 with the side.

Hansen was back working as Henry’s assistant again in 2004 in New Zealand, part of the so-called “three wise men” – Henry, Hansen and Wayne Smith – charged with rebuilding the All Blacks after their 2003 World Cup failure.

The trio faced calls for their removal after another unsuccessful campaign in 2007, but the New Zealand Rugby Union stuck with them, arguing continuity was needed for the 2011 tournament.

After this year’s success Hansen faces a formidable challenge facing up to Henry’s 80 percent-plus winning record as All Blacks coach.

He is likely to find the rugby-mad New Zealand public unforgiving if he stumbles after serving a such a long apprenticeship.

However, he said in 2009 that his former police job had equipped him to deal with stress and put rugby in perspective.

“This is not pressure, pressure is when you knock on someone’s door and say ‘Sorry, your son’s just died’,” he said.

AFP