Rugby: Hansen stonewalls on Highlanders job

Assistant coach Steve Hansen (right) and head coach Graham Henry. Photo / Getty Images

Those All Black coaches sure know how to dampen down speculation.

Assistant Steve Hansen, whose name has been linked to the Highlanders head coaching position, fended off questions while still managing to give the impression he desperately wants the job.

Asked what his plans were for the Highlanders next year, he was typically forthright: "I haven't got any plans with the Highlanders and don't want to add to the speculation about it."

It was his immediate boss, Graham Henry, who did most to inflame the speculation, admitting on Friday there was foundation to the rumour Hansen could find himself in charge of the faltering franchise.

"It's a decision that gets made by the New Zealand Rugby Union and the franchises themselves," Hansen said. "It's got really nothing to do with me until such time I'm told that I could apply if I wanted to apply and was told that maybe they'd be interested."

On Saturday, Wayne Smith took the opportunity to categorically rule himself out of the Blues assistant position to be vacated by Shane Howarth. Hansen, pointedly some would say, chose not to be so emphatic.

"I'm not going to rule myself out because the New Zealand Rugby Union haven't ruled anybody out. I'm not saying I'm coaching the Highlanders, I'm not saying I'm not, because I don't know what's going to happen tomorrow."

Hansen's desire to take on a head coach's role is no secret. He expressed interest in the Crusaders position in 2008, before being ruled out by his paymasters at the NZRU.

"I've always said I'd like to do more coaching, that hasn't changed. It doesn't mean to say I'll be coaching the the Highlanders. It's all speculation, so sit back and relax and when someone makes a decision we'll be able to give you some facts."