World Cup winning former All Blacks coach Sir Steve Hansen declared the Wallabies were “looking good” after confirming he was spending “three or four days” with Eddie Jones and his men in France ahead of the tournament.
The shock move from Hansen to answer a call from Jones for help was enough for New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins to joke that Hansen’ should have his citizenship cancelled after linking up with his country’s bitter rivals.
But Hansen tried to downplay just how much involvement he was having with the Wallabies, who are winless in four Tests under Jones in 2023, saying he is just helping his friend.
“I’d just like to put everybody’s mind at rest that I haven’t joined the Wallabies for the Rugby World Cup,” Hansen told Kiwi radio station Newstalk ZB.
“I’m here for about three or four days at the request of Eddie, a good mate of mine, just to give him some feedback on what he’s doing.
“Rugby is bigger than all of us, so (I’m) happy to do that.”
Hansen said he was not being paid for his appearance in Paris this week as the Wallabies prepare for their final World Cup tune-up against France this weekend.
He said he liked what he had seen in his short time around the Wallabies camp, conscious of the young group Jones had selected for the campaign.
“Australia are looking good actually,” he said.
“They’re just a young side that are coming together and they’ve got a coach that wants them to work hard and be better. I think they’re buying into that.
“They’re rebuilding themselves, trying to re-establish themselves.
“Eddie seems pretty hellbent on having his own Australian style and he’s picked a young team.
“He’s left a lot of the senior players out and, and as a result … I wouldn’t call them naive but they’re young as far as Test experience goes.
“The All Blacks themselves have come through some adversity in the last 12 months and it‘s made them stronger and I think the Australians will have to do the same.”
The Wallabies will play France on Saturday in a final chance to taste success before the opening clash of the tournament against Georgia.
France and Ireland are the favourites to win the tournament.
