All Blacks have reacted with disbelief over former coach Sir Steve Hansen's apparent defection to the Wallabies in the Rugby World Cup build-up.
The 2015 World Cup winner has stunned the rugby world by joining old rival Eddie Jones in the Australian camp, as they build towards the upcoming tournament in France and a final hitout against the host nation at Paris this weekend.
None is more shocked than veteran All Blacks hooker Dane Coles, who began his international career under Hansen in 2012 and attended two World Cups under his management.
"Yeah?" exclaimed Coles, upon hearing the news from media. "What, actually? In camp, kind of set-up?
"Shag, what are you up to? That hurts a little bit, to be fair."
Coles, 36, is never short of a clever quip in interviews, but this revelation has clearly left him floored.
Just hours before departing Sydney last week, Australian coach Jones lost the services of assistant Brad Davis, amid reports of a falling out between the two.
"I think there's an opportunity for us and I think we'll improve our coaching staff," said Jones. "We had a discussion a couple of nights ago.
"There is a potential candidate ready to step up now."
Perhaps this is his trump card, although Rugby Australia is apparently not paying Sir Steve for his services and his stay is expected to be just one week. That still doesn't sit well with Coles.
"I'm actually gobsmacked. I know he's quite tight with Eddie - they're pretty good mates - but he's a bit of an icon in the All Blacks set-up.
"I'm a bit speechless, it's a bit disappointing, but we can't do much about that.
"He's a great man... I'm actually gobsmacked. I thought you guys were having a bit of a laugh.
"Hopefully he doesn't tell Eddie any of our secrets, but I think he'll be respectful. If he's respectful to the All Blacks - and I think he will be - there'll be no problems, but that's just me trying to process what you've just said."
This would not be the first time an All Blacks coach has switched camps to help out rival teams. After his 1988-91 NZ tenure, Alex Wyllie went on to fill various roles with England, Ireland, South Africa and Argentina, guiding the Pumas to the 1999 World Cup quarter-final.
More recently, Sir Graham Henry has also assisted with Argentina, after leading the All Blacks to the 2011 World Cup crown - but this is Australia and, as England coach, Jones was the man who ousted New Zealand from the last tournament in the semi-finals.
Would you go work for Eddie Jones, Coles is asked.
"I'm actually looking for a job," he chuckled, as he prepares for his last appearances in the black jersey.
Loose forward Ardie Savea is more diplomatic, after he was warned by All Blacks media manager Matt Manukia.
"Everyone's got to do what they've got to do," he offered. "Good on him."
The All Blacks are preparing for their own final hitout before the World Cup, when they take on archrivals South Africa at Twickenham on Saturday (NZ time).
With their opening game against France two weeks away, the NZ players can't help but have one eye on that appointment, but they're trying to keep their minds on the job immediatly before them.
"There's no such word as 'warm-up' for us," said Savea. "Every time we put on that black jersey, every time we run out, we're trying to do the jersey proud and do the legacy proud, so that's out of our vocabulary at the moment."
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