Get to know Dane Coles through his comprehensive biography

Get to know Dane Coles through his comprehensive biography

Claudia Kogi
updated at March 9, 2024 at 4:02 AM

Dane Coles is a retired New Zealand-based professional rugby player renowned for having played for the Super Rugby club Hurricanes and the New Zealand national team during his active days. To date, he is still regarded as one of the best hookers in the world at the height of his career.

Dane Coles celebrates a victory in the Rugby World Cup France 2023
New Zealand's Dane Coles during the Rugby World Cup France 2023 Quarter Final match against Ireland, on October 14, 2023, in Paris, France. Photo: Catherine Steenkeste (Modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

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Feeding his resume even more, Dane was a nominee for World Rugby Player of the Year in 2016 after winning the 2015 Rugby World Cup. When he was 34 years old, Dane Coles was named the oldest player in the All-Black squad. What else is known about the New Zealand-based athlete?

Dane Coles' profile summary

Full name

Dane Stuart Coles

Date of birth

10 December 1986

Age

37 years as of March 2024

Place of birth

Paraparaumu, New Zealand

Nationality

New Zealander

Ethnicity

White

Mother

Sonya

Father

Steve

Height

6 feet or 180 centimetres

Weight

243 pounds or 110 kilograms

Kids

3

Marital staus

Married

Spouse

Sarah Smith Coles

Profession

Retired professional rugby player

Net worth

$1 million and $5 million

Social media presence

Instagram

Dane Coles' biography

Where was the professional athlete born and raised? Dane Coles (age 37 years as of March 2024) was born on 10 December 1986 in Paraparaumu, New Zealand. His parents are Sonya and Steve Coles. Although little is known about his childhood and upbringing, he has revealed that he was raised in a small town in New Zealand.

He revealed during an interview with Rugby World,

We definitely found a way to get in trouble. A mate of mine had a farm, and his parents had a chicken coop. We used to get the eggs and go egg cars, stuff like that. And then the cars would stop, and we would bloody run away as fast as we could.
Dane Coles during a game
Top 5 facts about Dane Coles. Photo: Hannah Peters/Getty Images (Modified by author)
Source: Getty Images
It is a small town. A few times, word got out, and they were straight round to my mate's house. We got in a bit of trouble. So, it was a good life lesson. It was just a great place to grow up; it was really easy-going, and it taught me a lot of life lessons.

He went on to add,

If I ever get big-headed, I just go back home, and the boys will put me back into line straightaway, you know?

Professional career

The former rugby player, Coles, made his professional debut in 2007 when he represented the Wellington Lions in the ITM Cup. His impressive performances at the provincial level caught the attention of various selectors and consequently earned him a call-up to the Hurricanes in Super Rugby.

Since his debut for the Hurricanes in 2009, Coles established himself as an essential player in various teams, showcasing his exceptional speed, agility, skills, and technical prowess. He completed his career stint with the Wellington Lions having made 71 appearances and scoring 90 points.

After signing with the Hurricanes, his performance made him the highest-scoring forward in the squad for 2016. As a result, he was nominated for New Zealand Rugby Player of the Year and World Rugby Player of the Year.

Dane waves during the Rugby World Cup France 2023
Dane waves during the Rugby World Cup France 2023 at Stade de France on 28 October 2023, in Paris, France. Photo: Craig Mercer (Modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

The professional athlete played in the Hurricanes' first three games of the 2017 Super Rugby season. However, after a severe concussion on his head, he had an extended period, including the drawn British and Irish Lions test series.

Additionally, he missed all of the 2018 Super Rugby tournaments after suffering severe injuries to his ACL. As a result, he was expected to be back in time for the playoffs but was physically unable to run until June that same year.

Where did Dane Coles go to?

Towards the end of 2023, rumours emerged about Dane Coles' sudden move to Japan. This was after he claimed that he had decided to give his career a complete turn by signing with the renowned Japanese club Kubota Spears Funabashi Tokyo Bay.

He revealed during an interview with 1 News,

Yeah, that is a bit of a surprise, but actually looking forward to it. It just came during the bye week. They needed a player, obviously, with Malcolm Marx going down.

He then added,

I think my wife was keener than I was, to be fair! Bit of an adventure to take the kids. Whatever happens in Japan will not determine my rugby career. It is just more of an adventure.
Dane Coles gestures prior to the Rugby World Cup Finals
Dane Coles gestures prior to the Rugby World Cup Final match at Stade de France on 28 October 2023, in Paris, France. Photo: Hannah Peters (Modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

Dane Coles' net worth and salary

According to various online sources such as ABTC, the professional rugby player has an alleged net worth ranging between $1 million and $5 million. Regarding his last contract before retirement, he reportedly received $471,464 as his annual salary.

Frequently asked questions

The retired professional New Zealand-based player is a well-decorated personality who has established himself among some of the best rugby players the sport has ever seen. Below are some of the most interesting facts about him you should know about.

What is Dane Coles' height and weight?

The famous star is 6 feet or 180 centimetres and weighs 243 pounds or 110 kilograms. He has dark brown hair and eyes.

Is Dane Coles married?

The New Zealand-based rugby player is married to his long-term girlfriend, Sarah Smith Coles. They have been together since 2015, and as of March 2024, they have three kids: Jax, Reef, and a younger one. He often uploads photos and videos flaunting his family.

Dane Coles poses with his wife, kids, and parents
In the first photo, Dane Coles poses with his wife and kids while the second one shows him with his parents, wife, and kids. Photo: @dane_coles (Modified by author)
Source: Instagram

What is Dane Coles' nationality and ethnicity?

The former rugby player is a New Zealand national of a white ethnic background.

Is Dane Coles on Instagram?

He is dynamic on Instagram, boasting over 93k followers as of March 2024. He often uploads photos and videos documenting his life on and off-pitch.

Final word

The retired professional New Zealand-based player Dane Coles is a well-decorated athlete who has established himself among some of the best rugby players the sport has ever seen. Moreover, he is among those players who have maintained a clean profile since debuting professionally.

READ ALSO: Discover the life story and personal details of former rugby player Duane Vermeulen

Sports Brief also reported about Duane Vermeulen, a retired professional rugby union player. He played for South Africa’s Springboks team and Ulster Rugby until November 2023. At his retirement, he had played in the openside flank position 204 times.

The three-time Currie Cup Winner bowed out in style after leading the Springboks to a 2023 World Cup win. He was also part of the winning squad in 2019. Click on the link above to learn more about the retired professional rugby player.

Authors
Claudia Kogi photo
Claudia Kogi
Claudia Kogi is a Kenyan content creator with over 3 years of experience. Claudia joined Sportsbrief.com as a writer in January 2022, covering sports and relatable content.
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Rugby World Cup