New Zealand head coach Ian Foster insisted Wednesday he had identified for a month that predecessor Steve Hansen had agreed to assist rivals Australia put together for the Rugby World Cup.
Hansen is helping Australia boss Eddie Jones, a long-time good friend, as an unpaid adviser this week whereas the Wallabies put together to face World Cup hosts France in a warm-up match in Paris on Saturday.
New Zealand hooker Dane Coles mentioned he was “gobsmacked” by 2015 World Cup-winning coach Hansen’s transfer.
But Foster, like Coles talking in London, the place the All Blacks are making ready for his or her warm-up match towards reigning world champions South Africa at Twickenham on Friday, was in jovial temper when requested for his views on the topic.
“Outstanding,” mentioned Foster. “He (Hansen) has agreed to give me three pages of notes about everything that’s going on in their camp … I chuckle at the headlines.”
‘Like a mate having a beer’: Eddie explains ex-All Blacks coach’s shock Wallabies look
‘Cancel his citizenship’: Kiwis react as former All Blacks coach confirms Wallabies position
Jones fires up at media & backs his group | 02:18
Formerly Hansen’s assistant within the New Zealand set-up earlier than succeeding his previous boss in 2020, the 58-year-old Foster added: “You guys (the media) must be pretty excited by it, but he told me a month ago he was going in.
“He (Hansen) is good mates with Eddie, but there’s no lack of trust (between Hansen and New Zealand) and in his commitment to us. I’ve got no issues really,” Foster additionally advised a news convention after naming his group to play the Springboks.
“In fact, we might bring him in for a couple of days.”
Hansen’s ‘defection’ to the Wallabies’ camp led New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins to quip the nation ought to “cancel his citizenship”, earlier than including rapidly “that’s a joke — just to be very clear”.
England captain cops World Cup ban following uproar over harmful deal with
Folau ‘devastated’ as Rugby World Cup desires dashed
In a cellphone interview with New Zealand radio station Newstalk ZB from Paris, Hansen defined he’s observing Australia as a favour to Jones.
Hansen, 64, mentioned he would “just like to put everybody’s mind at rest that I haven’t joined the Wallabies for the Rugby World Cup”.
“I’m only here for about three or four days at the request of Eddie, a good mate of mine, just to give him some feedback on what he is doing. Rugby is bigger than all of us, so happy to do that,” he added.
Hansen insisted his involvement with Australia was on a voluntary foundation.
“If you are working for someone, you are getting paid. I’m not working for anyone, I’m just here as a friend,” he mentioned.
The All Blacks and Wallabies have been drawn in several World Cup swimming pools however might meet within the knockout stage.
New Zealand play fellow heavyweights France within the opening match on September 8, with Pool A additionally that includes Italy, Namibia and Uruguay.
Australia face Wales, Fiji, Georgia and Portugal in Pool C.
Source web site: www.foxsports.com.au
