All Black coaches stay on until end of 2007

All Blacks coach Graham Henry (center) and his assistants Wayne Smith (L) and Steve Hansen (R). Herald file picture

The New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) has extended the contracts for the All Blacks coaching panel until the end of 2007, including the World Cup of that year.

All Blacks coach Graham Henry and his assistants Wayne Smith and Steve Hansen were originally appointed in 2004 until the end of this year. NZRU chairman Jock Hobbs said in a statement today that the decision to extend the coaches' contracts was based on a desire to allow the All Blacks panel to start building towards the 2007 World Cup.

It would also provide certainty to New Zealand's elite players about coaching and selection emphasis in the coming seasons.

Hobbs said the NZRU board had conducted an extensive review with the coaching and management team after the 2004 season, and based on that review had decided to extend the contracts for a further two years.

"The board have been delighted with the work of the coaching team, not only in terms of the All Blacks' on-field results, but also in terms of the amount of effort that they have put into improving the high performance environment in New Zealand rugby.

"These efforts will have an impact well beyond the test arena and have contributed to the development of a comprehensive high performance plan which was launched in December."

The All Blacks' coaches had also put significant effort into their relationships and those of the team and management with sponsors, media and the community, he said.

Henry said it was a real boost to the coaching panel to have the extension confirmed in advance of the three-test home series against the British and Irish Lions in June and July.

"With all three coaches having returned to New Zealand and committed ourselves to All Blacks rugby, it is a tremendous encouragement to have a long-term commitment from the union," Henry said.

"We are all committed to trying to tackle these major challenges with the Lions and a Grand Slam tour in 2005, not to mention the Tri-Nations, while also having one eye on building a strong base for the next series of challenges and preparing as best we can for 2007."

- NZPA