EXCLUSIVE: Steve Hansen Lifts the Lid on Richie McCaw, Aaron Smith & World Cup Heartbreak

Sir Steve Hansen is one of the greatest All Black coaches of all time. He is a true legend of the game. The stats don’t lie:

107 test matches as head coach over 8 seasons

Only 10 losses, for a win record of 87%

World rugby coach of the year 4 times.

Two Halberg awards for NZ coach of the year.

In this exclusive and very rare podcast appearance from the man known as “Shag” he opens up about the moments he got it wrong, his thoughts on what makes a great leader, the art of difficult conversations, the time Keven Mealamu told him off, why he warned Richie McCaw he was going to cost the All Blacks the 2015 Rugby World Cup and plenty more rugby stuff.

We also talk about some deeply personal stuff, like his wife Tash’s cancer journey and how that changed his outlook on life.

This will possibly be a side of Sir Steve Hansen that you have never seen before.

Steve’s not just a coaching legend and an inspiring leader, he’s wise, humble, and very funny. I loved our time together and I hope you do too.

Massive thanks to my long-term podcast sponsors, Generate.

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0:00 The reason Steve Hansen quit the All Blacks - family time // husband time // unauthorised biography

15:00 Greatest strength is also the greatest weakness

18:00 Media training - Ian Fraser

25:00 Knighthood

27:00 2019 World Cup

30:30 Reflecting on the 2007 World Cup - “horrific”

31.15 Early years

47.50 Hilarious Justin Marshall story

52.30 The Aaron Smith Scandal

1:01:50 Kevin Mealamu calling out Steve Hansen

1:09:00 The toughest conversations Steve has had to have

1:21:00 How do you coach Richie McCaw?

1:26:00 Sonny Bill Williams - greatest Athlete?