Steve Hansen (Photosport)
By Jim Kayes
John Key has stepped into the debate over who should get New Zealand's top job, and he is not talking about who should be the next Prime Minister.
Instead, who should be the next coach of the All Blacks with the PM throwing his clout behind Steve Hansen, provided Graham Henry does not chase a third term.
“In the end that's up to the various authorities but you have to say Steve Hansen has done a magnificent job and, assuming Graham doesn't put his hand up for it, Hansen's in the box seat,” says Mr Key.
Most players are happy either way.
“Who do I want, anybody who will pick me. I'm easy, that is, as long as they want to pick me,” says Corey Jane.
“I don't know I haven't really thought that far. Whoever gets it I hope they do a great job, just like Ted did,” says Piri Weepu.
Henry will not discuss his future but the next coach will be decided by a panel made up of board members Mike Eagle, Graham Cooney and Graham Mourie along with team manager Darren Shand, Don Tricker and rugby boss Steve Tew.
And he told TV3's Firstline that off shore coaches will be considered.
“We want the best coaches in the world coaching in New Zealand. It's important for our game, it's why we produce the best players but we also recognise that getting some offshore experience is part of a coach's development,” says Tew.
But the rules mean only Robbie Deans and Warren Gatland are eligible and they are contracted to Australia and Wales respectively.
And as for Richie McCaw being eye gouged by France’s Aurelien Rougerie, Tew says the time has lapsed for any official reaction.
“That player will be judged by his peers. The eyes are sacrosanct and if it was deliberate then that's very disappointing,” says Tew.
It has not rained on the All Blacks tri-city parade though, while Hansen is smiling all the way to the top job.
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