Laying foundations

Hansen building bright future for Wales

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He won't be around to see it, but Steve Hansen believes Wales are laying the foundations for the future -- and a possible Six Nations title in 2005, reports Rugby World magazine.

For Steve Hansen the news that Welsh provinces will almost certainly be created in time for next season has provided a brilliant light at the end of a tunnel which had been hitherto dark and gloomy.

Speaking a couple of days after the recent extraordinary general meeting in Port Talbot, which saw a massive vote of confidence for WRU chief executive David Moffett's plans to establish four provinces to compete in the Celtic League and Europe, the Welsh coach revealed how he believes he and his coaching staff can now move on with re-establishing the sport in a country which once ruled the world.

According to Hansen it is even possible for Wales to have improved enough in two years' time to win the Six Nations title but, if they do, it is unlikely the Kiwi will be around to bask in this unexpected glory.

For despite the first positive steps taken in the rebirth of world-class rugby in the Principality, Hansen is set to quit his post when his contract runs out at the end of next year's Six Nations.

Moreover, the ex-Canterbury and New Zealand A coach also admits that Wales need a Welsh coach to lead them to their ultimate goals.

"My contract runs out in April 2004, and my sole aim is to be able to leave the game in Wales in a better state than when I came into the job," he explains.

"You can never say never, but it's looking pretty certain that I wouldn't be looking to have my contract renewed. Instead I'll call it a day and head home to New Zealand."

His reasons for this are various. "I have two beautiful daughters back home who I miss very much," he says. "And there are things I want to achieve in my life in New Zealand."

Yet he also feels that, ultimately, he isn't the right man to carry on the job he has begun.

"It's important that a Welsh coach coaches Wales. I'm seen as independent. I'm as passionate as I can be about the job, but I can't be as passionate as a Welshman."

Talented young players

Hansen's views on what Welsh rugby can achieve following this potential revolution in the domestic game make encouraging reading.

"To make it work we need talented young players, good administrators, good coaches and a solid developmental structure. I believe we have young players who could become world-class in a very short time, we have a world-class administrator in David Moffett, and I obviously back myself and my coaches too.

"Despite all our problems, there is enough talent in the national side already to win the Six Nations within two years, providing they're given space and time, and not forced to play 50 or 60 games a season."

Which makes his decision to leave even more baffling. Does he not want to reap the rewards of his labors?

"Even if we were to win the Six Nations in two years' time it would only be a start," Hansen answers.

"It's crucial people see this. It would not be job done. It would be job beginning. I may not be around to see it, but what I'm doing now means that I would have played a part in it. That will do for me. It's not about self-achievement. It's about getting that snowball rolling and gathering more snow as soon as possible."

If Hansen does leave, he has a couple of Welshmen in mind to take over his role.

"I wouldn't say there are too many Welsh coaches right now up for the job, but Phil Davies at Leeds and Gareth Jenkins at Llanelli could do the job well. Phil Davies has particularly impressed me. What he's achieved this season has been phenomenal."

Poisoned chalice

The fact that Hansen has stayed the course, after taking over the so-called poisoned chalice from Graham Henry during last year's Six Nations, has been pretty phenomenal. He admits he was "shocked" when he witnessed the state of the game in Wales at first hand.

"Rugby's in trouble worldwide because there are only three or four major teams at the races right now, and Wales aren't one of them. The fact that they used to be, and that they are as passionate about the game as the New Zealanders, interested me. But once I got here I was shocked to see how much of the young talent went missing at senior level because there was no development and the environment was wrong. There was no competition for places, too much internal fighting and self-orientated clubs only interested in their own glories.

"The problem about professionalism in northern hemisphere rugby in general, and Welsh rugby in particular, is that it went down the route of soccer without recognising the problems soccer has. Even in England, with all its playing resources, you only really have six clubs in the top flight once you remove all the foreign players, yet we have nine in Wales."

So what kept Hansen going when there was so much wrong with the game?

"Well, I knew that nothing much would improve unless we had substantial change and I wanted to play my part in leading Welsh rugby out of the mire. I knew that if we could just lay some solid foundations we could construct a pretty good building. To do this we needed to mend the bridges between the clubs and the union."

The outcome of the EGM the day after Wales' plucky performance against England may have provided the foundation Hansen refers to. Moffett's revolutionary plans received almost unanimous support -- Cardiff, Llanelli and Aberavon voted against -- and provided a mandate for change. Cardiff and Llanelli are pushing for five provinces, with Llanelli looking to be one of them outright, but Hansen gives this idea short shrift.

"Four provinces is ample," he says. "Of these we'll have two very good sides capable of pushing hard for the Heineken Cup, one more than capable, and one that is developing. Anyone who wants five provinces should reveal their true motives, although it's pretty obvious, isn't it? It's down to that age-old problem of self-agendas and self-preservation."

Hansen hopes the likes of Cardiff and Llanelli step in line with the overwhelming view of Welsh rugby.

"Things are looking a lot more hopeful now, and if we can just get Cardiff and Llanelli on our side then we're on fire. I'd say that those few opposed to change need to take a long, hard look at themselves and ask if the current state of Welsh rugby is honestly to their liking.

"What we need are top-level administrators within the union and provinces, and world-class coaches. I can foresee some big names coming to steer the provinces, on and off the pitch, and this will help to create a new environment. It's important to concentrate on home-grown talent, and clear out most of the foreign imports. I'd like to see the provinces with 12 or 13 Welshmen playing for them, and just a couple of highly-respected foreign players who will add a genuine service to the club on and off the field.

"There is a huge amount of talent in this country. Maybe now we can provide the right structure and guidance to achieve something that has been lacking for so long in the game -- a successful transfer from promising junior to successful senior.

"The radical change Welsh rugby needs has taken a long time coming. That's a great shame because if we'd moved earlier we could already be enjoying great success. But I believe it's just around the corner, and I'll be very proud to have played a part in it."

Even if by then Steve Hansen will be far away, back home in Christchurch.

 

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