Steve Hansen
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen said Sunday he is unlikely to take his champion team through to the next Rugby World Cup.
Hansen who directed New Zealand to their 34 / 17 record-breaking victory over Australia in Saturday’s final at Twickenham Stadium is currently contracted through to 2017.
From being Assistant Coach when the All Blacks won in 2011, Hansen has enhanced his reputation since taking over as head coach 4 years ago.
Under his guidance they have won 49 of 54 games and the win over Australia made the All Blacks the 1st side to defend the Rugby World Cup crown and the 1st to win it 3 times.
But Hansen said the time is fast approaching for someone else to take over the prestigious coaching role.
“There’s a reason why it only goes to ’17, because I’m not sure about that,” he said of his contract.
“I wouldn’t say no but I’m certainly not saying yes either.
“I like the idea of changing the guard halfway through a 4-year cycle which has the Rugby World Cup in the middle of it.
“When people come in it’s easy to get some real dramatic shift early and it’s a lot harder to keep that momentum going.
“I’d probably say it’s more likely I won’t be there after ’17, than being there.”
The 56-year-old former policeman has 1 of the toughest jobs in New Zealand, a rugby-obsessed nation where the form of the All Blacks can sway the mood of the country.
The country partied hard on Sunday after their 3 tries to 2 victory in England.
But with his 4 year goal achieved, Hansen said he had a few drinks and then went to bed.
On reflection the following day he talked about the strains of the job and why it could be good for the team to have an injection of fresh ideas.
“Also for a long time we’ve put everything on the World Cup as centre and unless you’ve got some real strength of character you can be tricked into making decisions that are right for your survival rather than what is right for the team,” he said having been with the All Blacks as either Assistant or Head Coach for 12 years.
Sport24
Hansen will go down in the pantheon of great Ab coaches…He is correct in picking 2017 as the best time to depart…gives enough time for the new guy to gather some momentum and hopefully continue that winning culture
I’m picking Rennie to take over with Jamie Joseph as one of his assistants…
Te Rangatira wrote:
Interesting, any chance for Joe Schmidt? He has done so well first with Leinster and now Ireland. Hoping from a results point of view Vern Cotter makes folk sit up and notice him even more but hopefully he doesn’t go from here in 2017.
@ Bullscot:
Kia ora Bullscot…
My comments above is based purely on what I’d like to happen for the next AB coach. However it’s more than likely that the new Ab coach will come from the establishment which will mean that Fozzy (Foster) is the next cab off the rank.
Schmidt is a fine coach but I can’t see the Nzru calling on him unless there is a serious decline in the Ab fortunes…the same goes for the other coachesplying their trade in Europe…
There are Super Rugby coaches here in Nz like Rennie and Joseph who will make able replacements for Hansen, but like the Ab squad there is serious competition…
Dan Carter was named World Rugby player of the year
New Zealand’s Kendra Cocksedge won World Rugby Women’s player of the year
Another New Zealander Nehe Milne-Skudder won break through player of the year
Finally one for South Africa, Werner Kok won the World Rugby 7s player of the year, Seabelo Senatla was also one of the nominees for the award
Portia Woodman another New Zealander won the Women’s 7s player of the year
Wales get one too – Nigel Owens best ref of the year award
4 @ Te Rangatira:
Kia Ora Te Rangatira then you are doing well if you don’t need to consider all your coaches who are serving their apprenticeships outside NZ. Joe Schmidt’s contract with Ireland runs until 2017 to the best of my knowledge…
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