14 Dec 2018

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen to announce future

6:59 am on 14 December 2018

The All Blacks coach Steve Hansen will announce his plans for after next year's World Cup today in Auckland.

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen.

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen. Photo: Photosport

Hansen comes off contract with New Zealand Rugby after the tournament in Japan, which runs next September and October.

It's widely expected Hansen will step down as coach.

There have been suggestions he could move into a newly created role as Director of Rugby at NZR, with current assistant coach Ian Foster promoted to the head coaches role.

However it's more likely Hansen will simply walk away.

The Ireland coach, New Zealander Joe Schmidt, was the leading contender to replace Hansen, but he's since ruled that out by announcing he'll retire from coaching after next year's World Cup.

Other possible replacements for Hansen include Wales coach Warren Gatland, Dave Rennie and Scott Robertson, who led the Crusaders to back to back Super Rugby titles in his first two years in charge.

Hansen has guided the All Blacks through 95 tests, winning 84, drawing three and losing eight, for a success rate of almost 89 percent.