Former All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has received a knighthood in New Zealand’s New Year honours list, despite the team’s early exit at this year’s Rugby World Cup.
He becomes Sir Steve Hansen after being named a Knight Commander of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
“I’ll be forever grateful for the talent we’ve been able to coach, and grateful for the awesome management and back up staff that we’ve had,” Hansen said.
“You can’t do this by yourself so this honour is very much theirs as well.”
Hansen was a member of the All Blacks coaching team from 2004, succeeding Graham Henry as head coach in 2012.
Under Hansen’s coaching, the All Blacks won the 2015 World Cup, won the Rugby Championship six times and the Bledisloe Cup in every year from 2012.
He was named World Rugby’s Coach of the Year in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2016.
New Zealand won more than 85 per cent of matches with Hansen in charge.
The Late News
Roar Rookie
I don't think he'd be very keen...he's already got one.
E-Meter
Roar Rookie
Vive la republique
Gloria
Roar Rookie
Is there a saltier set of fans in the world? Nah, the the Kiwis have that in the bag. Undisputed world no. 1 ranking :crying: And after 2019 RWC to announce Hansen, it will be: ‘'Arise Sir Mickey’. :laughing:
taylorman
Roar Guru
I think Smith would be an exception when looking at other sports or rugby players to get the same, not that really I care who gets them. Names like Whineray, Lochore, Meads, Henry, Hansen were all leaders in the sport. Exceptions would be John Kirwan and Michael Jones who, besides being in the very top echelon of All Blacks as players, of which there are about a handful, both had significant contribution as head coaches and or/ other areas since mental health, community etc. Wayne Smith might fall into that category having played ‘fairly’ successfully and been an integral part of the AB success, but its also where Henry and Hansen generally took the plaudits during his coaching era so another ‘might’ be seen as overkill. Regardless, I’d give him one simply for his hugely under appreciated impact but then again I don’t give em out. :happy:
Loosehead
Guest
Your mother was a hamster and your father smells of elderberries now go away or I will taunt you a second time ( spoken in an outrageous French accent)
Tooly
Roar Rookie
What about Cheika, for services to NZ and English rugby.
Springs Old Boy
Roar Rookie
loved the banter ... Good natured too Happy New Year
Faithful
Roar Rookie
I would have thought someone humble who works hard for his country would be deserving most of all?
ClarkeG
Roar Guru
And only you Neil would care enough to research it. Good to see you are not neglecting your NZ homework over the holiday period. All the best for the new year. :happy:
piru
Roar Rookie
For sure, but only in NZ could a sheep shearer be honoured as Knight Companion. Arise Sir David Fagan. Brilliant, love it. I wanted to come back with a clever response, but I suspect you're right - Wales maybe?
taylorman
Roar Guru
Be a Dame wouldnt it?
taylorman
Roar Guru
Really? Its all about leadership, responsibility, standing out front and representing your country as an individual. ALL things Smith consistently wanted to avoid, so no, a knighthood wouldn't be appropriate here, and he would probably be the first to admit that, not wanting the limelight at all.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Yes a little bit ignoramus our Gloria. You'd think she would have got an anti-spite gun under her tree this year. :laughing:
taylorman
Roar Guru
He's a legend around the Rapa. Fro Wiki... has won the New Zealand Golden Shears contest a record 16 times. From Te Kuiti, Fagan has set 10 world records, and won five world, six world team, and 16 national titles, making him New Zealand's most successful competition sheep shearer. In 1990, Fagan was awarded the New Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal. In the 1999 Queen's Birthday Honours, he was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to shearing. He was promoted to Knight Companion of the same order, also for services to shearing, in the 2016 New Year Honours. Do they knight chimney sweeps in England still? :laughing:
Neil Back
Roar Rookie
For sure, but only in NZ could a sheep shearer be honoured as Knight Companion. Arise Sir David Fagan. Brilliant, love it.
Targa
Roar Rookie
It was a joke. Jacinda used to the leader of the world young socialists.
piru
Roar Rookie
Order of Lenin? What?
piru
Roar Rookie
Perhaps that proud Aussie tradition of The Boot would be more appropriate for these heroes
ClarkeG
Roar Guru
Yes Gloria will be pleased to know there have been a few. Lochore, Woodward, Allen, McGeechan, Henry, Tietjens. No doubt others as well.
ClarkeG
Roar Guru
And Gloria?