Roy’s Keane to make his mark with All Blacks

Apr 9 2008 by Ian Carbis, South Wales Echo

IF the All Blacks aren’t fearsome enough, this summer the New Zealand rugby team will come complete with added Roy Keane.

Keane is to complete his coaching badges this summer with a stint training with the All Blacks under former Wales coach Graham Henry.

The Sunderland manager is studying for his Uefa Pro Licence, which is an obligatory qualification for managers in the Barclays Premier League. And as part of the course students are required to spend time in another sport.

Keane, the former Manchester United and Ireland captain, will travel to New Zealand in June.

“What level of involvement I can have, just watching training or whatever, I don’t know,” he said.

“I have the green light to have three or four days with them.

“I don’t know if I will be allowed in to any team talks.

“I’ll keep my head down and just watch them, try to plug into what they are always about.”

The All Blacks face England and Ireland in June and Keane has always had a fascination with the team’s tradition and the infamous pre-match haka.

“If the haka didn’t inspire you before a game, what could?” he said.