Dane Coles runs through drills during the New Zealand All Blacks Training Session at the Arcs Urayasu Park on October 30, 2018 in Urayasu, Chiba, Japan. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen saluted Dane Coles on Thursday after the inspirational hooker fought back from a year out hurt to headline a second-string New Zealand side against Japan.
Hansen said Coles, 31, would have wondered whether his career was over after he suffered a serious knee injury against France last November, needing two operations.
The World Cup winner is the senior player in a match-day squad including eight new caps for Saturday’s Test with Japan after last week’s 37-20 victory over Australia.
The All Blacks also called up loose forward Dalton Papalii and midfielder Matt Proctor to a new-look XV, with six more players set to make their debuts from the bench in Tokyo.
But Hansen was clearly delighted to welcome Coles back from his injury nightmare for what will be his 57th appearance in the famous black jersey.
“It’s been great to have the champ back,” said Hansen at the team’s hotel overlooking Tokyo Disneyland.
“He’s had to work really hard and he’s gone through some moments in his own head where he was probably wondering if it’s ever going to happen.
“That frustration is a killer,” he added. “It can send you places you don’t want to go. I didn’t have any doubts but I’m not in his body, I’m not feeling his frustrations. But he’s a player worth waiting for.”
Luke Whitelock, who skippered the side against a France XV last year, will be captain for the first time in a Test against the 2019 World Cup hosts.
He follows in the footsteps of brother Sam, who captained the team for the first time last year. Whitelock will also become the 70th player to skipper the All Blacks when he leads them out against Japan.
“He’s a Whitelock,” smiled Hansen. “He’s a natural leader. He was brought up around the kitchen table talking and debating about rugby.
“While it’s a young side and a relatively inexperienced group, a top performance is required,” he added.
“It puts a little pressure on them but you can see how they perform under that pressure.”
Japan coach Jamie Joseph, meanwhile, named a virtually full-strength side following their 31-28 defeat by a world select XV last Friday, although wing Lomano Lemeki has pulled out with a foot injury.
New Zealand have met Japan three times previously, racking up a combined 282 points, including a World Cup-record 145-17 demolition of the Brave Blossoms in 1995 — a match Joseph played in for the All Blacks.
But Hansen, whose core players have left for Europe early to prepare for November Tests against England, Ireland and Italy, warned his players against taking Japan too lightly.
“They will play at a hundred miles an hour,” he said. “They don’t want a physical contest a la South Africa or Argentina — they want to hit and run. We need to be awake and not switch off.
“Is there a risk in what we’re doing? Yes,” added Hansen, whose team will be chasing a hat-trick of World Cup titles in Japan next year.
“But the reward is well worth the risk. We are giving players the opportunity to represent their country to find out more about them.
“We get to send another group of players to acclimatise in an environment which is going to be full-on. We’re winning everywhere.”
Papalii could barely contain his glee at being selected.
“It’s crazy,” said the 21-year-old. “Every little kid growing up wants to be in this position, to hear your name being called up. My mum was crying and my dad was pretty speechless.”
New Zealand: Jordie Barrett; Milner-Skudder, Matt Proctor, Ngani Laumape, Waisake Naholo; Richie Mo’unga, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi; Luke Whitelock (c), Dalton Papalii, Vaea Fifita; Jackson Hemopo, Patrick Tuipulotu; Angus Ta’avao, Dane Coles, Ofa Tuungafasi
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