Hansen still plans to quit

STEVE Hansen expects his reign as New Zealand head coach to end when his contract expires in 2017.

The All Blacks became the first side to defend the World Cup after toppling Australia 34-17 at Twickenham on Saturday in what is expected to be the final appearance in the famous strip for Richie McCaw, Dan Carter, Ma’a Nonu and Conrad Smith.

Hansen was promoted to the top job in New Zealand rugby when Graham Henry stepped down in 2011 and suspects he will follow suit after the British and Irish Lions tour in two years’ time.

“There’s a reason why the contract only lasts until 2017, because I’m not sure about that (his future),” Hansen said.

“I wouldn’t say ‘no’ but I’m certainly not saying ‘yes’ either. You only get 10 years for murder back home so…!

“I like the idea of changing the guard halfway through a cycle which has a World Cup in the middle of it.

“I think when people come in, it is easy to get some really dramatic shift early on and it’s a lot harder to keep that momentum going.

“Also, for a long time, we have put everything on the World Cup as the centre, but unless you’ve got real strength of character, you can be tricked into making decisions which are right for your survival, as opposed to what is right for the team.”