One of the men tipped to join Scott Robertson's All Blacks coaching group has given a strong indication he's right in the frame for a promotion.
Crusaders assistant Scott Hansen has made it clear his preference is to be part of Robertson's group from 2024 and Newshub understands the feeling is mutual.
On Thursday, Hansen was in the thick of things at Crusaders training and it's that work ethic, energy and insight that has in Scott Robertson's sights to follow him from Super Rugby to test rugby.
"We've got a lot of trust in each other and [Robertson] has mentioned that world 'loyalty'," Hansen said.
"I'm loyal to [Robertson] so what the following weeks look like, they'll pan out in due course."
Hansen hints things are looking positive for his own All Blacks ambitions.
"I'm a pretty loyal guy, I know who I'm aligned with," he added.
The same can't be said for Hurricanes coach Jason Holland.
Holland was initially part of Robertson's coaching group for his two previous tilts at the job but it seems it may not be third time lucky.
"I'll put it to bed now - I haven't heard from Razor about it in the past couple of months," said Holland. "We haven't spoken in the past couple of months, to be honest."
Holland had been in regular contact with Robertson during the Crusaders' coach's previous two failed attempts to win the All Blacks role, but it's been nothing but silence this time around.
If Robertson decides not to include Holland, it will be a blow for a coach who isn't hiding from his All Black ambitions.
"You want to keep learning and keep trying to get better because you want to coach at the highest level, and that is the highest level in my eyes," he noted.
Current assistant Jason Ryan - who spent years alongside with the Crusaders - is widely expected to remain as part of the All Blacks coaching group, while Blues coach Leon MacDonald is considered another strong candidate to join the fold.
While Holland may have to bide his time to reach that level, it appears to be within touching distance for Hansen.
"When you work well and you put in good work, there's an old coaching saying - people want you," added Hansen.
That saying seems to be ringing true, with Hansen on the cusp of an All Blacks promotion.
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