NEW ZEALAND

Hansen refused his attempted Crusade

Sunday 06th July 2008

Steve Hansen: Will not be the new Crusaders coach

All Blacks asistant coach Steve Hansen has been refused permission by the NZRU to apply for the vacant Crusaders Head Coach's post while he is still a part of the All Blacks set-up.

Hansen had been granted permission by Graham Henry to apply for the job, and Hansen had hoped to combine both roles, but in a statement on Sunday NZRU CEO Steve Tew said the union board felt that Hansen would be better concentrating on only the one role.

"The Board indicated that it felt that both roles required a dedicated focus and out of respect for Steve and, in particular, what he contributes to the All Blacks environment, it was felt that he needed to be focused on one rather than two teams," he said.

"The decision also reflected the Board's regard for Steve not only as an All Blacks assistant coach but also as a team selector, an asset that would have been lost to the All Blacks in the dual coaching proposal."

Hansen has accepted the decision and iterated his desire to remain with the All Blacks, while the recruitment process for the Crusaders role continues.