Retiring Dane Coles returns for likely home send-off in Wellington
Having missed some six weeks with concussion and calf problems, Coles has slotted straight back into the starting 15 against the Super Rugby Pacific champions, ready to throw himself in for the Hurricanes' playoffs push.
Having battled through 138 games through 15 seasons, the abrasive, bearded Coles has more than a few good memories, not least captaining the team to its sole Super Rugby championship in 2016.
He would sooner not be the centre of attention at the 'Cake Tin' on Saturday, however, with the Hurricanes still in with a faint chance of returning to Wellington for the quarter-finals next week.
To do that, they will need to topple the Crusaders and then hope the Melbourne Rebels can upset the fourth-placed ACT Brumbies in Canberra.
"I’ve tried to take the emotion out of it. It’s cool to be back but I’m not trying to build it up to be a fairytale send-off or anything," Coles told New Zealand media.
"I’m a guy that likes to stay in the background but I suppose there's been a bit of reflection this week, looking back on the memories and the people I’ve played with."
In February Coles shared his plans to retire at the end of the 2023 season but he still hopes to add to his 84 test caps and earn selection for a third World Cup in France.
He featured in the 2015 triumph in England and the run to the semi-finals in Japan in 2019.
His grip on the All Blacks' number two jersey has loosened in recent years but he has remained their go-to man in tight second halves and a consistent nuisance for opposition teams.
If the World Cup does not pan out, he will have no regrets.
"My contract was coming to an end and my mind and body have taken a bit of a hammering," he said.
"After this year I thought I had nothing to give, and I was pretty content with the decision."
While plenty of teammates have headed to Japan and Europe on lucrative contracts to boost their bank balances before retiring, Coles has stayed close to home.
"To retire in New Zealand was pretty cool, just playing for teams that I’ve really enjoyed playing for and have meant a lot to me as a kid," he said.
"I’ve moved home, I’ve set myself up, my kids are in school and my family have been a massive factor. I think I’m a bit of a 'home-body' to be fair."
