Dane Coles' is off contract at the conclusion of 2021 and the All Blacks hooker is determined to make his last year with the Hurricanes a winning one.
The Hurricanes' Dane Coles & Jackson Garden-Bachop await the final whistle during the Hurricanes v Blues Super Rugby Aotearoa match in Wellington on Saturday the 18th of July 2020. Photo: © Photosport Ltd 2020 www.photosport.nz
"Obviously my last year coming up with the Canes. I haven't completely ruled out staying on, but I've just got to appreciate it this year mate," Coles said on his future.
"It's always a special time being back with the lads. I'll try not to dwell on it (last season with the Hurricanes), I'll just try and contribute to the group and I've still got that same desire to perform and to help the team out."
Coles has not always been fit and healthy at the start of recent Super Rugby campaigns, but this season he is fresh and hungry to get stuck in.
He helped guide the Hurricanes to their one and only Super Rugby title in 2016. After that victory, the hooker struggled to contain his emotions as he spoke of the great relief and even greater pride at having finally ticked that box.
"To finally bring a championship to the Hurricanes franchise, mate it's just yeah, just awesome. Just so proud of the group not just the players that played but management and the guys that didn't strip tonight," Coles said.
"As you can hear in there (the Hurricanes changing room) it means a lot to this group to be able to get one (Super Rugby title) for all those who went before them and came so close only to fall short.
"It's great to bring this (Super Rugby trophy) to this franchise for the first time."
Another title in what is likely his final season with the Canes would mean just as much to Coles, who's desire to taste success with the club is as strong as ever.
"It would mean a lot. It would mean more than a lot. It would be the ultimate send off and we're working hard to try and achieve that."
On paper the Hurricanes do not look as strong as the Blues or the champion Crusaders, and Coles knows they can't afford to limp off the start line in this year's Super Rugby Aotearoa.
"We had a rough start and then we managed to win five in a row. We still fell short though, so we have to start well this season. That's the biggest thing. We were 0 from 2 last year and it's not a long comp so if you get off to a rough start, it's hard. We don't want to be chasing, we want to be a contender from the start."
Coles had planned on retiring from professional rugby at the end of 2021 and the Covid-19 disrupted 2020 season left Coles reflecting on that move. If he does pull the pin he will step away from the game completely, with no desire to get into media, punditry or coaching.
He may become a firefighter and plans to play one last season for his beloved Paraparaumu Rugby Club (where he first played and grew up), before hanging up the boots for good.
This year though he has things to achieve with the Hurricanes and the All Blacks.
"I still love playing for New Zealand and still passionate about it. I'm still driven to get there and it all starts by performing for the Hurricanes."
And while retirement seems more likely, would the 2023 tournament be a bridge too far?
"Haha, never say never mate. Especially with Roger (Tuivasa-Sheck) coming over to rugby, it would be awesome to play with him. I'm not ruling out anything, I'm likely to keep going as long as I can until the coaches say that's enough, haha."
Coles and his wife Sarah, parents to three boys under six, have already started setting up their post rugby nest, moving out of Wellington city into a newly built home in Otaihanga, on the Kāpiti Coast.
"I'm a commuter now. Early starts and all that, but I'm loving being back in Kāpiti.
"It's a very different lifesytle (to living in Wellington city). I've got a good group of old friends that have kids the same age and we kick round a little bit and it's just a laid back feel. I'm very happy I've made the move. The drive is a bit niggly but I get to come home to a bit more space for my three boys to run around in. Having good grandparents nearby for babysitting makes it extra good, haha."
Their oldest son, Jax, has just started school and Coles joked that the teachers hearts might have missed a beat when they saw his son's name on the role.
"Paraparaumu Beach school will be pretty gutted seeing another Coles boy going through their premises, good luck to them, haha. But yeah, it's a great school mate and I hope Jax enjoys it.
"Took me back to when I was there. It was a great, great school. I loved going there. Hopefully he gets the same enjoyment that I got out of it and makes some good friends and just listens to the teachers a little more than I did."
And it's not just Coles' old school where his son will follow in his footsteps, with Dane unequivicol about where his son will start his rugby career.
"Yeah we've signed him up. Paraparaumu Rugby, blue and gold for sure. That's my club growing up. Defintely not Waikanae (next town North in Kāpiti - the two clubs play for the Dane Coles memorial trophy), hell no, haha.
"Little things like that (having Jax play for Paraparaumu) will be awesome to see. It's those things (coming full circle and seeing your kids get to play at the same club) that are extra special."
While Coles may be in the twilight of his rugby career and his future uncertain, you can bank on one thing, he'll never play Super Rugby for anyone but the Hurricanes.
