New Zealand Rugby (NZR) has offered Steve Hansen a two-year deal should he wish to continue coaching the All Blacks beyond next year’s Rugby World Cup.
Hansen will decide before Christmas whether to continue in the role beyond the tournament, but according to NZME, NZR has told the 59-year-old there is an extension available to him if he wants it.
That would see him coach the national side 2021, before handing over to a new coach, likely current assistant Ian Foster.
There has also been speculation that Hansen could move into a director of rugby role with NZR after the World Cup.
"I decided before I left [New Zealand] I was going to make one," he said after the All Blacks lost to Ireland in early November.
Hansen has been involved with the All Blacks since 2004, when he served as an assistant under Sir Graham Henry, before stepping into the head coaching role in 2012.
Ireland coach Joe Schmidt had been widely tipped as a successor as All Blacks coach, but he announced earlier this week that he will retire from coaching after the World Cup to spend more time with his family.
Other names linked to the role are Wales coach Warren Gatland, who has already confirmed he'll return to New Zealand after the World Cup, and Crusaders boss Scott Robertson.
Newshub.
