Former England coach Stuart Lancaster has opened up on the harsh impact that World Cup failure had on his family, and how All Blacks coach Steve Hansen provided comfort in his time of need.
In an inteview with The Times, Lancaster detailed the struggles of dealing with 'a
national vilification' after England bowed out in the group stages of the 2015 Rugby World Cup they were hosting.
Lancaster said that in his darkest hour, there were people who rallied around and it helped, a lot.
"The week we were eliminated from the World Cup, I had a note from Heyneke Meyer, the South Africa coach who had been involved in the defeat to Japan [in the same competition]," Lancaster said. "He was going through exactly the same thing. 'I hope you are OK,' he asked. It was an incredibly thoughtful gesture.
"I had a good relationship with all the international coaches, because we all know the precipice we sit on. Moments after New Zealand won the World Cup final I sent a text to Steve Hansen to congratulate him. Forty minutes after the final whistle, when he must have been inundated, he replied. 'Thanks Stuart,' he said. 'Hope the family are OK. I am thinking of you.' That camaraderie is somehow deeper and more important than the rivalry. That is what rugby is about."
