KEY POINTS:
Factbox on the fate of All Blacks coaches following rugby World Cups:
1987: Brian Lochore won the final, retired from coaching. Alex Wyllie became coach ahead of John Hart.
1991: Alex Wyllie and John Hart lost in the semifinal to Australia. Wyllie resigned, Hart unsuccessfully stood as coach. Laurie Mains was picked as coach.
1995: Laurie Mains lost in the final to South Africa, saw out the year with a tour to France, then stood down and was replaced by John Hart.
1999: John Hart lost to France in the semifinal, resigned. His technical adviser, Wayne Smith, was appointed coach.
2003: John Mitchell and Robbie Deans lost to Australia in the semifinal, told to reapply, unsuccessful as Graham Henry was appointed.
2007: Graham Henry and assistants Steve Hansen and Wayne Smith lost to France in the quarterfinal. Henry successfully reapplied for the job, winning it ahead of Crusaders coach Robbie Deans, Hurricanes coach Colin Cooper and Chiefs' coach Ian Foster.
- NZPA
