Longer All Blacks coaching terms would be "optimal", New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) chairman Jock Hobbs said today.
Hobbs today announced that the contracts of Graham Henry and assistants Wayne Smith and Steve Hansen had been extended until the end of 2007 .
All had been appointed for 2004 and until the end of this year.
Hobbs told reporters the contract extension would create stability and continuity "which may not have been there in the past".
"We think we've got the right people. We have got a lot of confidence in Graham and his team," he said, adding the board had been unanimous in its decision.
Asked if the move signalled longer terms for All Black coaches Hobbs said: "It's optimal isn't it?"
Coaches had a difficult job, and could not do all they planned in the short-term; they had to look at the medium to long term, he said.
"Success doesn't happen quickly or overnight," he said.
"To have the time to be able to create some certainty some continuity, some stability, some security around the position is important.
"In some circumstances it may not be possible to do that, I'm very pleased with the circumstances we have we are able to do that.
"It is the best position to have. Chopping and changing is unhelpful."
Hobbs would not specify what had been altered other than the term of the contracts.
"There has been some variation of other terms, but I'm not delving into those."
- NZPA
Hobbs says longer coaching terms ideal
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