Steve Hansen will reveal a decision on his future before Christmas that could yet see Joe Schmidt join New Zealand’s coaching ranks after the 2019 World Cup.
The All Blacks coach said he already knows his plans and will make them public before the turn of the year.
Schmidt is out of contract with Ireland after next year’s World Cup, whereupon he could yet return to his native New Zealand. He is a strong favourite to join the All Blacks whenever he makes that move.
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Schmidt masterminded Ireland’s 16-9 win over New Zealand in Dublin on Saturday, to back up the 40-29 triumph in Chicago in 2016.
Asked whether Schmidt is eyeing a move back to New Zealand next year, Hansen said: “Well, I don’t know you’ll have to ask Joe. We’re all going to be making an announcement shortly. I decided before I left [New Zealand for the All Blacks tour] that I was going to make an announcement, and I’ll do that before Christmas at some stage.”
New Zealand have no shortage of quality coaching options should Hansen decide to step down after the next World Cup. Hansen was assistant to Graham Henry when New Zealand won the World Cup on home soil in 2011 and guided the All Blacks to retain the Webb Ellis Trophy in England in 2015 as coach.
The 59-year-old former policeman could of course opt to continue at the All Blacks helm but should he step aside then his assistant Ian Foster could take on the top job. New Zealand have a policy of promoting coaches into the All Blacks ranks from Super Rugby coaching jobs but the former captain Richie McCaw has already insisted they could break that to draw Schmidt straight into their Test setup.
Jacob Stockdale’s 12th try in 14 Tests sealed Ireland’s stunning win over New Zealand, with Schmidt’s men claiming just their second victory over the back-to-back world champions.
New Zealand held on to their official world No 1 ranking, despite losing to second placed Ireland, as the hosts pulled off a defensive masterclass to shut out the visitors.
All Blacks’ Steve Hansen hails Ireland as best in world after defeat
Hansen insisted before the Test that the winners would earn the right to call themselves the best in the world, regardless of the rankings and challenged Ireland to live up to that tag.
Asked how Ireland have improved under Schmidt, Hansen said: “I think they are fitter; their defence is great. Both teams defended for long periods and defended really well, and their scrum was good. Everybody in the team is doing their bit and Joe is obviously leading it very well.
“They have become a team who believe in themselves and pride themselves on what they do. But it’s their turn [as the world’s best], so we’ll see how they cope.”