Hansen is New Welsh Coach

The Welsh Rugby Union has confirmed that assistant coach Steve Hansen will take charge of Wales for the rest of their 2002 Lloyds TSB Six Nations campaign following the resignation of Graham Henry.

Hansen will work alongside current team manager Alan Phillips and assistant coaches Clive Griffiths and Scott Johnson for Wales’ remaing four Six Nations games.

The move, announced yesterday, represents a rapid rise for Hansen who only arrived in Wales this season after the WRU launched a global search for coaching talent and plumped for the straight-talking New Zealander with his impressive coaching CV.

In New Zealand, Hansen was one of the chief architects of Canterbury’s rise to New Zealand’s National Provincial Championship last season, in addition to earlier successes in the NPC and Ranfurly Shield and Super 12 titles with the Crusaders franchise.

Caretaker: Kiwi Hansen takes over for the Six Nations

The move – announced at a press conference at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on Thursday – will see Hansen working alongside current team manager Alan Phillips and assistant coaches Clive Griffiths and Scott Johnson for Wales’ remaing four Six Nations games.
This is certainly a rapid elevation for Hansen who only arrived in Wales this season after the WRU launched a global search for coaching talent and plumped for the straight-talking New Zealander with his impressive coaching CV.
In his native land, Hansen was one of the chief architects of Canterbury’s rise to prominence, guiding the team to New Zealand’s National Provincial Championship last season, in addition to earlier successes in the NPC and Ranfurly Shield and Super 12 titles with the Crusaders franchise.
Hansen’s first Test in charge will be