Question time with Cotter and Coles at Gisborne fishing tragedy fundraiser

All Black great Ian Kirkpatrick (113 games, including 39 tests), Poverty Bay Rugby Football Union chief executive Ray Noble and recently retired All Black Dane Coles (90 tests) at the Damo's Day fundraiser. Coles said having a Saturday afternoon beer was one of the perks of retirement. Photo / Paul Rickard

Super Rugby-winning coach Vern Cotter has staunchly defended his dropped All Blacks No 8 Hoskins Sotutu - describing him as “probably the most talented rugby player I’ve coached in my rugby career”.

Cotter, recently retired All Blacks hooker Dane Coles and radio personality and rugby commentator Hamish Mackay were the guest speakers at Damo’s Day, Saturday’s fundraiser at Pātūtahi for the families of the three men who died in a tragic fishing incident off Māhia in June.

McKay, in the interviewing role, got an unexpected answer when he asked Coles what he most missed about not playing rugby.

“I don’t miss it at all,” said Coles as the audience in the Pātūtahi Community Hall roared with laughter.

“I can have a beer on Saturday, I can have a beer on Friday night and I can put 10 bucks on the first try-scorer [via the TAB].”

Cotter said Sotutu had been unfairly treated after being selected as Super Rugby Player of the Year by his peers.

The No 8 had an instinct regarding “when to intervene and when not to”.

He could fetch, make line breaks, had exceptional speed and, when under pressure, could win the ball from the front of the lineout.

A full Pātūtahi Community Hall enjoyed hearing from guest speakers Dane Coles, Vern Cotter and Hamish McKay at the Damo's Day fundraiser on Saturday.

Sotutu was working hard on what the All Blacks selectors wanted to see.

He was “getting his head over the ball”, Cotter said, adding, “I think they need him now.”

Cotter questioned the make-up of the All Blacks, with four openside flankers and the team “not having someone to carry the ball into space and finding weak and tired players”.

He was glad Sotutu was not giving up his All Black dream and had signed with New Zealand Rugby for another two years.

In reply to another McKay question, Coles said his greatest memories were making his debut against Scotland at Murrayfield in 2012 and winning the Rugby World Cup in 2015.

In between seasons, he enjoyed “being normal” and spending time with his Kāpiti mates.

‘It’s just a normal life, mate.”

Coles told the Gisborne Herald the Springboks would present a major challenge over the next two weeks in South Africa.

But he was picking the All Blacks to win the first test, with forwards coach Jason Ryan having a major impact on the All Blacks’ forward pack.