Hansen says no to England job speculation

Sun, Mar 18, 2018, 11:30 PM
AFP
by AFP
New Zealand coach Steve Hansen has said he has no interest in taking on Eddie Jones' England job. Photo: Getty Images
New Zealand coach Steve Hansen has said he has no interest in taking on Eddie Jones' England job. Photo: Getty Images

 New Zealand boss Steve Hansen insists there is no chance he would be interested in taking over from England coach Eddie Jones.

Hansen's contract with the All Blacks expires after the 2019 World Cup in Japan.

But the 58-year-old is certain he won't take charge of another international side if he does step down.

England finished a disappointing fifth in this year's Six Nations.

However, Jones is tied to the team until 2021 after signing a two-year extension in January that is subject to a break clause dependent on performance at the global showpiece.

"I can say I won't be coaching England," Hansen told BBC Radio Five Live on Sunday.

"If I was going to stay coaching international rugby then I'd stay coaching the All Blacks. It's a massive time commitment, no matter what team you're with.

"It would have to be right for the family and the team. If it's not right for both those parties, it wouldn't be right for me to go off and coach someone else. I'd rather stay and do it in New Zealand if it was right.

"I don't know what I'll do when the day comes for me to finish, but coaching is in my blood.

"I'll probably be coaching until the day I die. Whether that's in England, we'll have to wait and see."

Successive defeats to Scotland, France and Ireland have registered England's worst Championship performance since 1987.

But Hansen believes they have suffered from providing the bulk of the squad for last year's British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand.

Share
Australia U20 star Treyvon Pritchard is the most recent high profile victim of a hip drop tackle. Photo: World Rugby
World Rugby announces banning of hip drop, knee drop tackle
Western Force young gun Fakafanua named Super Rugby AUS MVP
The Wallabies are eager to show their growth as they prepare for former coach Dave Rennie. Photo: Getty Images
Wallabies out to show Rennie growth on Bledisloe reunion
Maya Stewart set for injury return in WXV Global Series