New Zealand
All Blacks' Steve Hansen has 'best job in the world'
ESPN Staff
December 16, 2014
Steve Hansen believes he has the best job in the world © Getty Images
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New Zealand Rugby chiefs needed no more than a nanosecond to decide they wanted Steve Hansen to retain the reins of the All Blacks. Hansen needed no longer to accept the offer, and he was confirmed as New Zealand coach until after the 2017 Lions tour.

"It's the best job in the world, coaching the All Blacks," Hansen said. "There's no better job going around."

Hansen, 55, has forged a remarkable record since succeeding Sir Graham Henry as head coach after the All Blacks' 2011 Rugby World Cup triumph, winning 38 of 42 Tests while losing just two, and New Zealand Rugby chief executive Steve Tew said "it took a nanosecond" to extend Hansen's contract beyond the Rugby World Cup cycle.

"It just made sense frankly," Tew said. "If you're good enough to get this job and you do the job well, then you'll be supported and that loyalty repaid."

The decision to make Hansen the first New Zealand coach to be given such security ahead of the four-yearly Rugby World Cup demonstrated the faith New Zealand Rugby, the board, management and players had in him, said Tew.

"We'll deal with the World Cup results when we have to deal with it, but right now we are saying we want Steve to coach in 2016 and 2017 regardless of that," he said.

Hansen coached Wales before serving as assistant to Henry for eight years, after which he signed an initial two-year contract as head coach and doubled that tenure in a contract signed in 2013. That contract is rumoured to be worth $1 million a year, but Tew declined to comment on the negotiations with Hansen.

"I don't know where the numbers come from, but what we expect from everybody that works at this organisation is they do the best they can every day they come to work," said Tew.

© AAP

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