Favourites’ coach has reinvented himself during his time in charge, going from confrontational figure to oasis of calmOf all the qualities the All Blacks will miss when Steve Hansen’s eight-year tenure, and one of the great world rugby eras, comes to a close at the
World Cup, his ability to turn Zen-like master is possibly least appreciated. Describe Hansen in one word and it must be “composed”. It was not always this way. Quite the opposite, in fact.
These days, as his last stand approaches in
Japan, Hansen is almost unflappable, having near-defined the art of calming influence. Such a feat is no easy task while guiding the world’s most demanding, glory-hungry, panicked rugby nation.