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| Staff Writer |
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Steve Hansen’s tasted much success on the world rugby stage as a former coach of the All Blacks and a part of New Zealand’s two-time Rugby World Cupbrain trust in 2011 and 2015. He is also part of the Racing syndicate that owns 2021 Everest champion Nature Strip. And, oh yeah, in 2019 has received a knighthood in New Zealand's New Year Honours list as Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, recognizing his coaching legacy.
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Don’t get it twisted though. Hansen is a humble soul and is pretty steadfast in how you address him.
No Sir Steven, thank you.
“I prefer just Steve,” he says. “So, we just carry on with just Steve.”
Hansen doesn’t make his title about him, anyway. However, he says he did struggle with the worthiness of being called a sir. Without support at home, while carving out a career on the pitch, nothing is accomplished.
“For me, it was recognition, I guess, for my family for the sacrifices that they had made,” Hansen said. “My wife particularly had been massive in keeping the home running smoothly, for such a long time. They don't get too many accolades. To be able to receive the award on behalf of them was pretty fulfilling.”
Family ties are important to Hansen, a characteristic that also resonates throughout the Nature Strip syndicate group, which is comprised of both Kiwis and Aussies.
“Australia, New Zealand, they are like siblings,” Hansen said. “They fight a lot with each other. But if anyone else picks on them, they'll turn and unite. We're two nations that might be small, but we pack a bit of a punch, I think, and we're very proud of that.”
As a coach and horse owner, Hansen has seen both ends of the spectrum. He holds world records for coaching the team that has lost the most consecutive games in a row (10) Hansen said he took over a team (Wales) with no confidence ,a poor culture and poor systems. It was tough going as it takes a lot of time and hard work by Players, staff and coaching teams to turn that around which we eventually succeeded in doing. It was a great learning time for me. He also coached the All Blacks to the record for the most consecutive wins in a row (18)
While Nature Strip has piled up earnings in his racing career, he had inconsistent beginnings. Then, of course, there are some purchases by the Syndicate that never even reach the starting barrier.
“Adversity makes you more resilient,” Hansen said “You set out to be the best Athlete the best character and the best team, coach you can be.
“You've got to work hard … you need to have a work ethic to succeed, it doesn't just happen. Otherwise, everyone could do it and everybody would win. But that’s not how life or Sport works
Doing all the right things is easy to do when you're winning. Put a smile on your face, front-up to all your responsibilities saying and doing things right.
“When you lose it’s a lot harder however it’s even more important to show those same characteristics that you show when you're winning because, for us, we were fortunate we had a lot of time winning. When you do suffer defeat, then you know someone else is winning. So, give them the opportunity to enjoy that by showing them, your sport and your fans.we can demonstrate the same qualities as when we win. It doesn’t mean the loss doesn’t hurt far from it however its character building.
So, on Oct. 15, Nature Strip gets his shot to repeat as Everest champion. Though Hansen is quick to point out that his place in racing folk lore won’t be defined when he runs again in the A$15 million Everest.
“He’s already won 22 races all over the world and seems to be getting better with age, he's more relaxed,” Hansen said. “We just want to see him give his best and then see how we go result wise either way we will all be very proud of him. if the next couple weeks go to plan and he turns up in his best condition, then he is going to have a chance. And that'll be exciting either way.”