All Blacks Head Coach Steve Hansen has been reappointed through until 2019, New Zealand Rugby (NZR) has confirmed today.
NZR Chief Executive Steve Tew said it had been easy for the Board to make a unanimous decision to extend Hansen’s current contract from 2017 through to the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.
Steve’s winning record is unsurpassed in the modern era. Since becoming Head Coach in 2012, he has recorded 52 wins in his 57 Tests to date, with two draws and just three losses. That’s remarkable and unparalleled in international rugby.
57-year-old Steve Hansen has been coaching for more than two decades at club, provincial, Super Rugby and international level. He was also World Rugby’s Coach of the Year from 2012-2014,
All Blacks Head Coach Steve Hansen Reappointed
Hansen was appointed head coach of the All Blacks following the team’s Rugby World Cup 2011 victory. His appointment came after serving as assistant coach for eight years. He would coach the team to second half of their back-to-back RWC victories in 2015.
Steve Hansen said he was very honoured and grateful to the New Zealand Rugby Board and Steve Tew to be given the opportunity to extend his contract.
It was never going to be an easy decision nor a foregone conclusion that I would extend my contract. 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. I had to be confident, firstly, in my own mind that I still had the passion, drive and commitment to keep pushing this team to improve.
The All Blacks have fashioned an enviable record under Hansen with 52 wins to date. The All Blacks have suffered just three losses and two draws for a winning record of 91 percent.
Historic Records
As well as victory at RWC2015, Hansen’s record includes the historic unbeaten season of 2013, victories in the Steinlager Series and Investec Rugby Championship, and the retention of the Bledisloe Cup. In his time, the All Blacks have been named World Rugby Team of the Year four years running.
Prior to joining the All Blacks, Hansen coached Wales for two years. He was also and assistant coach of the Crusaders during their title-winning seasons in 1999 – 2001. Hansen won titles with Canterbury in 2001 and 1997.
This excerpt taken from an official New Zealand Rugby media release.
