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'Not ruin any trophies!' - Dane Coles takes cheeky dig at Crusaders as a 'proud Hurricanes man'

August 13, 2020

The Hurricanes captain will become the most-copped forward in franchise history this weekend.

A grinning Dane Coles says he doesn’t look towards the Crusaders for inspiration for how to get the Hurricanes back in the champions’ circle.

In fact, he took a cheeky dig at their recent issues with the Super Rugby Aotearoa trophy to emphasise it.

Asked by 1 NEWS this afternoon if the Crusaders dominance in recent times – which now extends to a fourth-consecutive Super Rugby title after wrapping up the domestic competition last week – is a source of inspiration or guideline on how to win, Coles said he always looks inward first.

“I fully respect what they do, but I'm not looking into their environment,” Coles told 1 NEWS.

“All I can do is help these guys get better. I fully respect their four trophies, it's outstanding, but I'm not going to put my hand up to go down there and see how they do things down there."

“I'm a proud Hurricanes man, not a Crusader... I hope that doesn't sound arrogant.”

Instead, the Hurricanes captain said he wants his to team to display the same consistency the Crusaders produce on the field.

"Might have to get [head coach Jason Holland] breakdancing," Coles said.

“Not ruin any trophies,” he added with a grin.

When asked if he had ever dropped a trophy – the action the Crusaders say is behind the damage caused to Tū Kōtahi Aotearoa – he said no.

“There’s a few stories about the Ranfurly Shield, but I haven't dropped one yet.”

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