The New Zealand Rugby Football Union is seeking legal advice in relation to an approach made by the Welsh Rugby Union to the Crusaders assistant coach and Canterbury Air New Zealand NPC coach which the NZRFU understands led to Steve Hansen being offered a position as assistant coach to the Welsh national team.

NZRFU Chief Executive David Rutherford said today he was surprised to hear from Hansen on Sunday that WRU Chairman Glanmor Griffiths and Welsh coach Graham Henry had offered him the role of assistant coach of Wales. Hansen advised the NZRFU that the WRU had contacted him during the Crusaders Telecom Rugby Super 12 campaign.

Hansen was then and is still contracted to the NZRFU and the Canterbury Rugby Football Union.

The WRU has not contacted the NZRFU or CRFU about the matter.

Mr Rutherford said he called Dennis Gethin, the Secretary of the WRU, on Tuesday evening.

"Gethin was clearly surprised to hear that Hansen was contracted to Canterbury and the NZRFU," he said.

"He told me that he did not know much about the situation as it had been handled by his chairman and coach. He asked me if the NZRFU would be seeking compensation. I made it clear that we were seeking legal advice in Britain and we would be guided by that advice. He apologised about not contacting me about the matter.

"International Rugby Board Regulations state that no union can induce or attempt to induce any contracted player or coach to leave their union unless the prior written consent of that union has been obtained.

"The important issue at stake here is the sanctity of the NZRFU's and other national unions' contracts with coaches and players. These areas are governed by contractual law and by IRB Regulations designed to preserve the unity of international rugby and ensure openness and transparency.

"The IRB Regulations were amended after the Jason Jones-Hughes case which also involved Wales."

Hansen will take up the Welsh post in November, but will guide Canterbury through this year's NPC before leaving the province he has served with such distinction , both at provincial and Super 12 level.