NZ Rugby World

FARE WELL CHAMP

In two short sentences, Dane Coles encapsulates his time as a professional rugby player.

“I know I’m not everyone’s favourite, but that’s fine by me. I’ve just tried to do everything I can on the field for every team I play for.”

In a glittering decade-and-a-half-long career, the combative hooker was someone everyone loved being alongside and hated playing against.

“I guess I want to be remembered as someone who gave it their all, every game,” Coles says.

“Hopefully people can see that through my actions and work-rate. But also someone who would give you the time of day and was hopefully a good fella off the field, too.”

There’s no argument about Coles’ off-field personality; he always had time for fans and sponsors. But ask

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