New Zealand Rugby may be poised to announce All Blacks coach Steve Hansen is going to extend his contract through to the 2019 World Cup.
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“Steve’s winning record is unsurpassed in the modern era”, he said. Hansen replaced Henry after the All Blacks won the World Cup in New Zealand in 2011.
During Hansen’s time as head coach, the All Blacks have lost only three of 57 tests – two against South Africa and one against England.
Former All Blacks hooker Warren Gatland, whose contract with Wales expires at the end of 2019, has also been suggested, along with Vern Cotter (Scotland) and Joe Schmidt (Ireland), who could potentially work together having previously coached Bay of Plenty in New Zealand and at Clermont in France.
Otago-born Hansen will lead his side in three Tests against the British and Irish Lions in 2017, and the All Blacks will be hoping for another World Cup win two years later. That’s remarkable and unparalleled in global rugby.
In the aftermath of his team’s final victory over Australia in November, Hansen expressed doubts about whether he would recommit due to the time away from his family and the fact the All Blacks might need a new voice.
He told the BBC recently that he expected an announcement to be made before the Rugby Championship starts in August, so it appears he and New Zealand Rugby have agreed terms.
However, they completed a 3-0 series sweep of Six Nations runners-up Wales in June and Hansen said while that result had reignited his enthusiasm he had only made up his mind to continue “in the last week”.
“The second condition I had to ask myself was whether I could continue to improve as a coach”, he said.
Hansen said it was likely he would not be in that conversation at the end of 2019, but could not rule out another run at the job if the All Blacks are successful. And I believe I can, and must, as I will be asking others to do the same.
“In speaking to my family, they’ve all given me their wholehearted support and I’m very thankful for that, because you just couldn’t do this job without that”.
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“With regards to the team, I spoke to a number of players and management to get their thoughts on what would be right for the team going forward and I received unanimous feedback from them that it was right for me to continue”.
