New Zealand
Hansen considers extending coach contract
November 23, 2014
New Zealand's Steve Hansen arrives at the Royal Garden Hotel, London, November 3, 2014
Hansen is one of the most successful coaches in rugby history © Getty Images
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All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has confirmed he is in discussions about continuing in the role beyond next year's World Cup. Hansen wants to make a decision this summer about his future, believing it is important to be clarified well before the tournament starting in September.

"If it's to happen, it's got to be right for team and got to be right for the family," Hansen told NZ Newswire. "We'll get the tour out of the way, get home and we'll sit down and talk to everybody. "It's going to be done [soon] if it's going to happen."

Hansen moved from assistant coach to the head role after Sir Graham Henry stepped down following New Zealand's 2011 World Cup triumph. He has overseen a remarkable record from 42 Test of 38 wins, two draws and two losses following Saturday's 34-16 defeat of Wales.

The 55-year-old appeared surprised to learn that New Zealand Rugby chief executive Steve Tew had revealed to media the pair have been in negotiations. Tew told NewstalkZB he wanted to lock Hansen in for a further two years until the end of 2017, regardless of the World Cup outcome.

"If Steve thinks it's right for him, the team and his family, and we can agree some reasonable terms around that tenure, I think there's a good chance we will have that done well before the World Cup," Tew said. "We would be foolish to let him go."

Hansen understands why NZ Rugby want to have the situation resolved soon.

"I don't know what he [Tew] said on the radio but if they're saying they'd like me to stay then it's now become a little bit more than just talk," he said. "I don't want it to be dragging on well into next year. I want it done as soon as possible if it's going to happen."

© AAP

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