21 Oct 2011

Future only goes as far as Sunday: All Blacks assistant coach

5:19 am on 21 October 2011

The future only goes as far as Sunday's rugby World Cup final against France, according to New Zealand assistant coach Steve Hansen.

The 52-year-old Hansen is refusing to discuss his plans after the World Cup final between the All Blacks and France at Eden Park on Sunday.

Hansen, Graham Henry and Wayne Smith have been at the helm of the All Blacks since 2004 winning winning 87 of 102 Tests.

Smith is stepping down afterwards, Hansen is widely expected to take over the head coaching role from Henry, should he retire after the final.

Hansen maintains it's not something he's thinking about and his focus is simply winning on Sunday after enduring 2007's quarter-final loss in Cardiff.