ALL BLACKS COACH MAY MISS WEEKENDS WALLABIES TEST

New Zealand may be without coach Steve Hansen for their final Bledisloe Cup Test against Australia at the weekend after his father died on Tuesday.

Hansen's father Des had been ill for some time and the coach had not been part of the team's preparations this week for the Test at Lang Park in Brisbane on Saturday, which is a dead rubber after the All Blacks retained the trophy in August.

 "The All Blacks family extend our deepest sympathies to Steve and his family at this very difficult time," All Blacks manager Darren Shand said in Christchurch on Tuesday.

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

 All Blacks players and management have already said this week that Hansen's absence from the team had not affected their build-up, something Shand reiterated on Tuesday.

 The All Blacks team will be named on Thursday with the squad leaving for Australia later that day.

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