All Blacks: Hansen keen to coach forwards again

All Blacks assistant coach Steve Hansen. Photo / Getty Images

MARSEILLES - After their best test effort of the year, the All Blacks rugby coaches remain uncertain as to whether their reshuffled roles will continue in 2010.

Coach Graham Henry yesterday lauded his assistants Wayne Smith (defence) and Steve Hansen (attack) after they scored five tries to none to hammer France 39-12 here.

The coaches all swapped roles before this tour to refresh after a shaky mid-season which saw them lose three times to world champions South Africa.

Hansen admitted he was keen to return to coaching the forwards which he was criticised for, then relinquished in the pre-tour reshuffle.

"It's been interesting. I've enjoyed it (attack) but I don't see myself doing it long term because, to me the game is up front. That's where it's played and won and the guys out the back just do all the other stuff."

Henry noticeably took a more pronounced role at trainings on this tour while the All Blacks made good moves in all three areas.

The attack showed more intent, particularly from kick returns; the lineout was excellent, and the defence continued its high standards with all four European opponents kept tryless.

"It has been enjoyable and really good for the three coaches to get an appreciation of what the others go through. We've had to help coach each other which has been great," Hansen said.

"The big bonus has been that it's really allowed the players to step up and take some ownership of each of the areas. They've got a coach coming into an area where it's not their main strength, apart from Smithy who's a great defence coach.

"It's been good in that regard, the players have grown an extra leg and an arm out of it."

He said the coaches hadn't yet discussed their roles for next year, but Hansen would like to reclaim the forwards job.

The All Blacks now have to prepare for the traditional tour-ending match against the Barbarians at Twickenham on Sunday (NZT).

Hansen admitted it would be tough to get the players firing after a long season but hinted most of the second-stringers who played Italy would get a shot when the team are named on Thursday (NZT).

The All Blacks farewelled Brad Thorn and Andy Ellis who both returned home to be with their young families today, while others have 24-hour sponsors' commitments.

Richie McCaw, Dan Carter, Mils Muliaina, Ma'a Nonu, Jimmy Cowan and Kieran Read headed to adidas headquarters in Germany while Neemia Tialata, Jerome Kaino, Stephen Donald, Liam Messam and Anthony Boric will visit Iveco headquarters in Italy.

- NZPA