Rugby World Cup 2019: Steve Hansen among three Kiwi coaches up for Coach of the Year award

Steve Hansen and his All Blacks squad have been nominated for World Rugby awards, the sport's governing body announced on Thursday. 

Hansen has been shortlisted for World Rugby's 2019 Coach of the Year award, while the All Blacks have been nominated as Team of the Year. 

But Hansen isn't the only Kiwi coach nominated, with Warren Gatland (Wales) and Jamie Joseph (Japan) also in contention for Coach of the Year.

The other contenders are Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus and England's Eddie Jones, whose nations meet in Saturday's Rugby World Cup final in Yokohama. 

Hansen has won the award four times, with his last win coming in 2016. 

England, South Africa, Wales and Japan have all been nominated as Team of the Year, alongside New Zealand. 

The All Blacks have won the team award 10 times.

The finalists were selected a panel including ex-international players Maggie Alphonsi, Brian O'Driscoll and Agustin Pichot, and former international coaches Nick Mallett and Clive Woodward.

The winners will be announced at the World Rugby Awards in Tokyo on Sunday.

Join us for live updates of All Blacks v Wales Rugby World Cup third-fourth playoff from 10pm Friday.

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