All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen confirmed that he will step down after the 2019 World Cup in Japan.
Hansen, who will lead the almost invincible All Blacks for their defense of the Web Ellis Trophy next year before stepping down for good, addressed a press conference in Auckland on Friday and said, “Well we're here to establish whether I'm staying or going – so I'm going. I think after 16 years it's been a wonderful and a privileged time to be involved in rugby in New Zealand.”
As his current contract runs until the end of the next year's marquee event, there has been speculation over his future for a while.
The 59-year-old mentioned, “We've always said that it's about the team first, and not the individual, and for me I think it's right for the team, to have someone new after this World Cup. I think some fresh eyes, some fresh thinking, whether that's within or without, outside of the, you know whoever the replacement is it will be fresh. I think that will be great for the enhancement of the legacy of the jersey and that's the most important thing.”
New Zealand's head coach Steve Hansen (L) poses with captain Richie McCaw (R) for a photograph with the Webb Ellis Cup after winning the 2015 Rugby World Cup title. /VCG Photo
Hansen has been involved with the ABs since 2004 when he joined the bandwagon as an assistant to ABs 2011 World Cup-winning coach Graham Henry and, subsequently, he rose to the position of head coach in 2012.
He heralded a new era in New Zealand rugby as his all-conquering side scripted an unparalleled professional era record of winning 85 of 96 games with Hansen being in charge and his icing on the cake moment came when the ABs defended their Web Ellis silverware in 2015.
“What's next? You all will be interested. I don't know, so I can't tell you, so don't bother asking, cause you'll just get the answer. It'll just be I don't know. I'm not focusing on what's next, what I'm focusing on is making sure that we get to next year and try and retain that Bledisloe Cup and then try and do something that's not been done before, which wins three of these world cups in a row. So I'm highly motivated by that, really excited by it, as are the whole group,” the ace coach refused to divulge any future plan of action to the packed media.
With Hansen confirming his departure, several names are being viewed as his prospective successor. However, there are four main contenders for the coaching job with one of the most successful teams in the history of modern sports.
Wales coach Warren Gatland, who will return to New Zealand after the next year's World Cup, Hansen's assistant Ian Foster, Canterbury Crusaders coach Scott Robertson and the international rugby award-winning best coach of 2018, Joe Schmidt of Ireland. In fact, Smith has become the top contender since beating Hansen's side twice in recent times – first in Chicago in 2016 and in Dublin this year.