New Zealand Rugby has held onto one of its masterminds.
Newstalk ZB understands that Wayne Smith will put pen to paper for another two years.
After only agreeing to a short term deal as defence coach to help the All Blacks defend the Rugby World Cup, Smith will now stay on NZR's books until the end of the British and Irish Lions tour in 2017.
Last month it was reported that English club side Harlequins was aggressively pursuing Smith as a head coach option, but NZR Chief Executive Steve Tew confirmed to Newstalk ZB that there would be an official announcement about Smith's future soon.
Steve Hansen's future as All Blacks coach after 2017 is uncertain, with Tew saying they will be patient in negotiations.
"Not sure about a timeline for Steve, my experience with him is now 15 years old and we'll drive a timetable that is best determined by being patient.
"We'll have those conversations - they key thing now is to lock up the core group now for this year which we're very close to doing and then we'll move onto a longer-term view - like we've done with the players."
