Is it a bombshell?

A moment too weird to properly comprehend and, because of that, is that why it isn't real? And if it's not real then it's not worth speculating on.

And yet here I am speculating.

The NZ Rugby Union has approached Steve Hansen and Ian Foster and asked them to apply for the coach's job.

Is that the most absurd, bizarre, nutty, unbelievable, possibly stupid thing you have ever heard around rugby, or perhaps even sport?

And yet it's suggested it's true.

In a way I hope it isn't, unless it is. But first I'll deal with the 'isn't'.

I hope it isn't because the union already have enough reputational issues without adding to them, like the panel, the rules and the criteria. For goodness sake, just go get a rockstar. Surely the All Blacks coaching job still has enough prestige that getting great talent isn't an issue?

That's if you haven't already targeted someone, which they should have!

But then I hope it is true because I love Hansen and I love Foster and I'm an old romantic who fizzes over the edge of the glass in excitement at what would be/could be one of the great redemption stories in all of sport.

Both have issues with rugby and rules and unions. Foster especially got treated abysmally. How good could it feel to march back into the dressing room and say "Hello lads. Now where were we before I was so rudely interrupted?"

But for the union, this is why it can't be true. You don’t go to a Hansen or a Foster and say have an application form and see what you think.

You beg for such talent to frequent your business! And if you're asking them to apply, what are you saying to Jamie Joseph and Co. who might be asking why they're looking for reheats when they're there. Not a bad point.

See? It would be way better if none of this were true.

Mind you it would be way better if they hadn't sacked Scott Robertson mid-term with a mass pay out and a restraint of trade with no clear plan going forward.

This is almost so good it can't be real, while also being so bad it shouldn’t be real.

The key of course is to win the world cup and if we do that no one will care who the coach is.

But that bit seems a long way off when we currently have no coach and in front of us what could be a stroke of genius, or sheer insanity.

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Donald Trump has called for the Republican Party to nationalise elections.

He made the statement during his appearance on the podcast of former deputy FBI director Dan Bongino, saying the Party should seek to take over voting in at least 15 places.

Elections are primarily run by state law, with voting administrated by local officials across the United States.

US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Mike Hosking that nationalising the election would go against the Constitution, which says elections are governed by state law, not by any party in power.

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On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 4th of February, Transport Minister Chris Bishop delves into the overhaul of the drivers licensing system.

Mike runs through what words he can, can't, and shouldn't say after the BSA's latest swearing report.

And Ginny Andersen and Mark Mitchell discuss Peeni Henare’s resignation, the messy press conference with Labour and the Greens, and Waitangi on Politics Wednesday.

Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.

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Today on Politics Wednesday, Labour’s Ginny Andersen and National’s Mark Mitchell delve into the biggest political stories of the week so far.

They discussed the proceedings at Waitangi, the joint press conference between Labour and the Green Party, and the resignation of Labour MP Peeni Henare.

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More good news on the tourism front.

Auckland Airport has reinstated its partnership with Thai Airways, bringing back non-stop flights between Auckland and Bangkok.

The route reconnects New Zealand with one of Asia’s major aviation hubs, and is expected to bring in around $250 million a year in visitor spending.

Auckland Airport Chief Customer Officer Scott Tasker told Mike Hosking not only will it make it easier for Kiwis to visit Thailand, the flights also make New Zealand a much more attractive destination for Thai tourists.

Also, he says, Thai Airways has a network of 56 international destinations from Bangkok, so this route will help bring in more high spenders from places like the UK, Germany and India.

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A chance to open next year's Rugby World Cup with a blockbuster Wallabies-All Blacks clash has been passed by.

Organisers have opted to kick-off the tournament with Australia taking on Hong Kong on October 1, with the All Blacks facing Chile the following day.

The move is being labelled as a play to keep interest levels “alive”.

International Rugby Players’ Association CEO Omar Hassanein told Mike Hosking getting a mostly guaranteed win in the first match is important, and while one would like to hope Australia could beat the All Blacks, form over the last decades indicates they may struggle.

He says the opening match in Peth is likely to sell out regardless of opposition, so it was a tactical ploy to ensure Australia stays in the tournament and momentum continues.

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The wine industry is trying to stay positive.

It's facing an oversupply of sorts after around 100 thousand tonnes of grapes —about a fifth of the crop— were left on the vine last year.

Some growers put it down to people changing their drinking habits globally, others blame the pandemic, tax increases, and US tariffs.

New Zealand Winegrowers Chief Executive Philip Gregan told Mike Hosking there are issues, but they will keep making quality products.

He says long term, the industry is confident it's producing the types of wines people want to drink.

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Economists are divided on whether unemployment is finally starting to fall.

Stats NZ is releasing its latest employment update at 10.45.

Economic conditions are improving, but that's also prompting more people to re-join the labour market.

Most bank economists expect the unemployment rate to remain unchanged from three months ago at an historically high 5.3%, but ASB economists think it will fall slightly to 5.2% – the first fall in unemployment in four years.

Senior Economist Mark Smith told Mike Hosking that hiring is starting to pick up after being on the backburner for so long.

He says the economy has some underlying momentum, and after waiting on the sidelines last year, firms are going to convert those intentions into actions.

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