All Blacks coach's father dies

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen's father Des died in Christchurch on Tuesday, team manager Darren Shand said.

Assistant coaches Ian Foster and Brian McLean had been overseeing much of the All Blacks' preparation for the third Bledisloe Cup Test against Australia in Brisbane on Saturday while Hansen spent time with his father.

"The All Blacks family extends our deepest sympathies to Steve and his family at this very difficult time," Shand said in a statement.

"Steve and the family thank everyone for their messages of support, and ask for privacy at this very challenging time."

Shand says the All Blacks are continuing their preparations for the Test match against Australia "as Des Hansen would have wanted them to do".

"We've been dealing with this on a day-by-day basis and will update you further when we have any more news."

Backs coach Foster said on Monday that Steve Hansen was still "heavily involved" in planning for the Test.

"We'll just carry on as normal. We've got good structures and good people in the team and we'll keep trucking along," he said.

"We're all feeling for him but the best thing we can do for him now is to give him time with his family and for us to do a very good job of preparing for what is going to be a really exciting test match for us."

NZN

Source: http://www.3news.co.nz/All-Blacks-coachs-father-dies/tabid/415/articleID/272919/Default.aspx

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