KEY POINTS:
If nothing else, Steve Hansen's entry into the Super 14 coaching race has ramped up interest in the outcomes of next month's decisions.
Without Hansen's decision to stand for the vacancy left by Robbie Deans' move to the Wallaby coaching job, it seems there was little to get
excited about in the election of the staff for the five New Zealand franchises.
It will be remarkable if Hansen is not picked as the Crusaders head coach because you have to assume he tested the feelings in the electorate as well as the rugby union before he allowed his name to go forward.
Whether he should have dual roles is another matter and one the NZRU has baulked at since Deans completed several seasons in that same twin capacity. It did not work then and how the NZRU thinks it will be alright this time is staggering.
New Zealand needs to broaden its coaching base rather than narrow it as appears to be the case with Hansen standing for the Crusaders job with the blessing of the NZRU.
Then there is the perception. Remember the concern when the All Blacks used 14 Crusaders players in one test against Ireland in 2002, the feeling that while they made up a good team they were not necessarily the best players.
If Hansen was heavily involved with the Crusaders, no matter how much he protested and how hard he tried, he would always have a bias one way or another about the international quality of his players.
When the All Black coaching triumvirate of Graham Henry, Wayne Smith and Hansen was re-elected last year, one of their election planks was their solidarity. They made much of their qualities of working together, of sharing their duties, of staying tight and building towards the future. Now, just a few months later, Hansen wants to expand his portfolio.
Sorry Steve, it should be one or the other and the NZRU should make that plain rather than endorsing Hansen's right to deal with both briefs, even if he tries to spin one job as coaching and the other as selection.
Does the NZRU not understand conflict of interest, the problems of objectivity and time management or even Deans' views that it was a mistake to attempt both roles?
Hansen should make up his mind. Perhaps that is the plan and he will not sign off from the All Black job until he has been confirmed as the next Crusaders' coach.
It appears there will be little change in any of the other franchises except the Blues where David Nucifora and Greg Cooper have left vacancies.
The frontrunning combination remains Pat Lam and Shane Howarth. The partnership has worked so well with Auckland and appears favoured to take over with the Blues.
