ABs set to name Hansen

New head coach will be confirmed on Friday

Last Updated: December 14, 2011 1:57pm

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Steve Hansen: part of World Cup-winning triumvirate

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Former Wales coach Steve Hansen is expected to be named the New Zealand head coach by the end of the week.

The NZRU has called a press conference for Friday when they will name World Cup-winning head coach Graham Henry's successor.

A statement on the official New Zealand rugby website said: "The man to succeed World Cup-winning All Blacks coach Graham Henry will be announced this Friday, with former assistant Steve Hansen the leading contender for taking the reins of the No 1 Test-ranked rugby nation.

"It has been widely assumed that Hansen will work with former Chiefs coach Ian Foster and former Canterbury coach Aussie McLean, while Mick Byrne has expressed his interest in taking over the forwards."

Hansen joined Henry at Wales as his assistant in 1999 before taking over the top job himself when Henry returned to coach New Zealand in 2002.

In a stewardship which included a record 11 straight Test defeats, he led the Welsh to the 2003 World Cup quarter-finals, giving the All Blacks (in their pool) and eventual winners England huge scares along the way.

Hansen left Wales in 2004 and eventually linked up with Henry and fellow assistant Wayne Smith with the All Blacks in a tenure which culminated in World Cup glory in October before Henry chose to stand down.