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Departing All Blacks coach Graham Henry has argued for continuity to retain knowledge in nominating assistant Steve Hansen as the next man for the job.
Henry announced on Tuesday that he was stepping down from the post he has held for the past eight years, a tenure that culminated in New Zealand’s drought-breaking Rugby World Cup final victory over France nine days ago.
He departs with a place in history as one of sport’s most successful coaches, having guided the All Blacks to 88 wins in 103 Tests – at a winning percentage of 85.4 per cent.
Hansen was one of Henry’s two assistants during that period, along with Wayne Smith, who is heading to the Chiefs next season in an advisory role.
The three were controversially reappointed in 2007 despite the All Blacks’ quarter-final exit at that year’s World Cup, a decision they repaid by landing the Webb Ellis Cup in 2011.
Henry believes a complete change to the coaching team will mean lessons learnt from past experience would be lost as the new regime starts from scratch.
“So I think Steve Hansen should do the job,” Henry told a news conference in Auckland.
“It’s my personal opinion and it does give us continuity from what has happened over the last eight years and what goes for the future, and I think that’s very important for any sporting team of this type.”
Henry said Hansen had a good relationship with the players, had a natural feel for the game and “wants to win, which is hell of a important”.
A former Wales coach like Henry, Hansen has been tipped to submit a coaching team that includes former Chiefs coach Ian Foster as his No.2, as well as All Blacks skills coach Mick Byrne.
NZRU chief executive Steve Tew said the union wanted to appoint the All Blacks head coach first and to have that done by Christmas.
“Then we’ll take a deep breath and see where we’re at,” he said.
“We’ve asked the candidates to come with a full package, but that doesn’t mean that package will be appointed en masse.”
One of the world’s most successful sports coaches, 65-year-old Henry said he has turned down offers to join overseas clubs and will stay in New Zealand to assist in the development of local coaches.
Tew said the discussions were under way to have Henry in a mentoring role for coaches at Super Rugby and provincial level.
Henry awarded the International Rugby Board’s Coach of the Year award a record five times (2005, 2006, 2008, 2010 and 2011).
He coached the Auckland Blues to Super Rugby titles in 1996 and 1997 before moving abroad and coaching Wales from 1998 to 2002.
He then returned to New Zealand and took over as All Blacks coach in 2003.
“He leaves the All Blacks job as one of the greatest coaches in the game,” Tew said.
Henry and Hansen have one more coaching role together this year when they take charge of the Barbarians against Australia at Twickenham later this month.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.