Rugby: Jane keen for shot at coaching

Cory Jane, with ball, sees himself as a defensive coach after he hangs up the boots. Photo / Getty Images

Former All Black Cory Jane wants to get into coaching when his playing days are over.

Jane says he already does some work with the Hurricanes defence and that role is one he's like to explore once he hangs up his boots.

"I've been talking with the Hurricanes coaches and sorting out first that I wanted to do that, because I do a lot of the defence with [Hurricanes assistant John Plumtree] and I understand the game," Jane told Newstalk ZB's Tony Vietch.

"For me, when I finish rugby, because I'm so competitive I'll need something that's going to drive that competitiveness and fulfil it. I think coaching is definitely an option, because it's no longer just about me - it's about getting the players better and trying to fulfil it that way."

Jane's contract with the Hurricanes concludes at the end of the season, with the 34-year-old set to play for Japanese club Toshiba Brave Lupus later in the year. He could then be looking to take the next step in his rugby career as early as 2018, if a team was willing to give him a chance.

"You just need an opportunity," Jane said. "It's like playing, it's like any other job in the world - you just need an opportunity to do it. A lot of people probably think you're young and you have to bide your time. But for some people, if they get the opportunity they can excel.

"I just need to keep working, do a few things behind the scenes and grow as a coach, not a player."

That already includes analysing defensive systems both in a formal capacity with the Hurricanes and from the couch in games like last night's deciding test between the All Blacks and Lions.

"I could definitely see myself doing defence first of all," Jane said of a potential coaching role.

"I always try to think, what can we do better. Instead of sticking to the old defensive systems, it's always about trying to find loopholes or ways to get better."