New Zealand's Rugby World Cup-winning coach Steve Hansen will link up with the NRL's Canterbury Bulldogs as a high performance consultant.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Hansen coached the All Blacks to their 2015 Rugby World Cup victory in England and has built up an imposing record in coaching in the 15-player code.
He will work with the Bulldogs' coaching and management staff, as well as the players' leadership group.
Hansen is joining what will be a new-look Bulldogs outfit in 2021, with Trent Barrett the club's new coach as they look to rebound from a disappointing 15th-place finish this year.
"To be able to have someone with Steve's record and background work with our staff and players will be a great asset to our club," Bulldogs chief executive Andrew Hill said in a club statement.
"He was responsible for being a major driving force behind one of the most successful sporting brands in history and his knowledge and thoughts on areas such as leadership, high performance, preparation and team ethic will be invaluable to our club."
Barrett has previously spent some time with Hansen during his All Blacks' tenure.
"Steve has already developed a relationship with Trent Barrett, after Trent spent some time with the All Blacks in recent seasons and we believe that his knowledge and insights will be of tremendous benefit," Hill said.
Hansen finished up as All Blacks coach after they placed third at last year's Rugby World Cup in Japan.
Steve Hansen celebrates after winning the Bronze Final in the 2019 Rugby World Cup Japan against Wales at Tokyo Stadium last November. Photo: AFP
He had worked as All Blacks assistant coach under Graham Henry, helping plot its Rugby World Cup triumph in New Zealand in 2011.
Prior to working with the All Blacks, Hansen was Wales head coach between 2002 and 2004.
Barrett was announced as Bulldogs coach for the 2021 season earlier this year after the club parted ways with Dean Pay.
The Bulldogs, under caretaker coach Steve Georgallis, finished the 2020 season in 15th position with three wins from 20 matches.
Barrett ended his time with Penrith following its loss in last Sunday's NRL grand final, having worked as an assistant to Panthers coach Ivan Cleary.
The former Australia Test representative has previous head coaching experience in the NRL. He was in charge of Manly from 2016 to 2018.
- ABC