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Ex-All Blacks Coach Steve Hansen Now “Sir Stephen”

Former All Blacks coach Steve Hansen became Sir Stephen on Tuesday, receiving a knighthood in the New Zealand New Year’s honours list to acknowledge his outstanding contribution to rugby.

The outgoing New Zealand Rugby chief executive Steve Tew was made an officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit, another of the country’s top honours.

Although Hansen fell short in his bid to guide the All Blacks to a third consecutive World Cup this year, losing to England in the semi-finals, the award citation noted his outstanding tenure.

The straight-talking coach with a wry sense of humour spent eight years …

Scarlets Release Mooar To Be All Blacks Assistant Coach

The All Blacks received an early Christmas present Tuesday with Welsh club Scarlets agreeing to release coach Brad Mooar for an undisclosed sum, New Zealand Rugby announced.

Mooar, who was only six months into a three-year contract with Scarlets, will become an assistant under Ian Foster in the new All Blacks coaching set up.

It is understood the Welsh club had put a price tag of around 200,000 pounds (around US$260,000/233,000 euro) on Mooar, who joined the club after being part of the highly successful coaching team at Super Rugby champions Canterbury Crusaders.

“We’re pleased to announce that we have …