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Steve Hansen will leave his role as New Zealand head coach with his record "unsurpassed", according to All Blacks chairman Brent Impey.
Hansen announced on Thursday that his all-conquering reign in charge of New Zealand will end after the defence of their World Cup title in Japan next year.
The 59-year-old has coached New Zealand since 2012 and has been in the system for 16 years having been an assistant prior to replacing Graham Henry in the top job.
New Zealand have won 85 of his 96 Tests in charge and won the 2015 World Cup as well as the Rugby Championship in every year barring 2015.
"On behalf of the New Zealand rugby board, I'd like to thank Steve for his enormous contribution to our national game. He's hugely respected, clear in his views, and will leave the job as one of the greatest ever All Blacks coaches," Impey said in a statement.
Rugby internationals – team of the autumnShow all 15 1 /15Rugby internationals – team of the autumn Rugby internationals – team of the autumn Cian Healy (Ireland) Rolled back the years to his very best form and the sight of him leaving the field against New Zealand completely exhausted demonstrated just how much he gave to Ireland’s caused. Has ended any doubts over who the best current loosehead in Ireland is once and for all.
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Rugby internationals – team of the autumn Ken Owens (Wales) The most consistent hooker throughout the autumn, both in performance and in selection. Strong showings against Australia and South Africa that both resulted in victories saw him clinch the shirt with relative ease.
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Rugby internationals – team of the autumn Kyle Sinckler (England) Looks to be on the way to fulfilling his potential after a standout autumn, with the man-of-the-match performance against Australia being one of the best showings from an English tighthead we’ve ever seen. Could well become a force to be reckoned with in the years to come.
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Rugby internationals – team of the autumn Maro Itoje (England) The consistent figure in England’s second row that was hit by injury after injury. Overcame a difficult start against the Springboks to star in the near-miss against New Zealand and the comeback victory over Japan. Is growing into a real leader of the pack as he took control of the lineout against Australia with huge success.
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Rugby internationals – team of the autumn Brodie Retallick (New Zealand) The best player in the world right now and it was his domination of the English lineout that helped secure the comeback victory at Twickenham. Unlucky to be on the losing side against Ireland but overall it was a strong series from the towering lock.
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Rugby internationals – team of the autumn Peter O’Mahony (Ireland) Phenomenal performance against the All Blacks saw him hobble off the pitch to a standing ovation. A crucial figure in the lineout against Argentina too and he is developing into a new talisman for the Irish.
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Rugby internationals – team of the autumn Ellis Jenkins (Wales) Two brilliant showings against Tonga and South Africa on either side of the back-row. His performance against the Springboks was phenomenal, with a line-break to set up Tomas Francis for a try and a try-saving tackle on Jesse Kriel, and we can only hope he makes a full recovery from the nasty knee injury he suffered at the end of the match.
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Rugby internationals – team of the autumn Mark Wilson (England) Came into the autumn as an unknown quantity and leaves having put himself firmly in the frame for England’s World Cup squad. Man of the match against South Africa in only his second start and provided some much-needed ball carrying against Australia that apparently England were lacking.
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Rugby internationals – team of the autumn Greig Laidlaw (Scotland) May be off the radar playing in France but he is back to his best as Scotland’s first-choice No 9. Has looked lively all autumn and as reliable as ever kicking for goal to lift that responsibility off half-back partner Finn Russell.
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Rugby internationals – team of the autumn Owen Farrell (England) Say what you want about his controversial tackling technique that for some reason is going unpunished, but he offers so many match-defining moments that he has to feature in the side. Unsurpring mention for Johnny Sexton too, but his lack of game time compared to Farrell’s three-and-a-half outings sees Farrell take the shirt.
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Rugby internationals – team of the autumn Jacob Stockdale (Ireland) Part of a well-drilled team move to secure victory against New Zealand but his individual contribution cannot be ignored as he executed a perfect chip-and-chase to win the match for the Irish and inject them with a huge show of momentum ahead of the World Cup.
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Rugby internationals – team of the autumn Bundee Aki (Ireland) The standout performer in an autumn that was difficult for a lot of inside centres. Ben Te’o and Hadleigh Parkes were also in the running and Damien De Allende was perhaps the most consistent, but Aki takes the spot with strong performances against the All Blacks and Italy.
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Rugby internationals – team of the autumn Garry Ringrose (Ireland) He is developing into a wonder player at international level, and is able to form strong partnerships with whoever is inside him as we saw when Robbie Henshaw was ruled out at late notice to see Aki come in inside him. Somewhat strangely the only player retained in the side to face the USA, but delivered with a virtuoso performance in playing a key role in Andrew Conway’s hat-trick.
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Rugby internationals – team of the autumn George North (Wales) Looked like the wing of old at the start of the autumn and looks to be reaping the rewards of his move back to Wales and the National Dual Contract that came with it. Fully fit and firing at his best, it has been a joy to watch North get back into his stride this autumn.
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Rugby internationals – team of the autumn Israel Folau (Australia) The superstar playing in one of the most average Australia teams we’ve ever seen. The finish for his first try against England was the sign of a special player that few others could replicate, while he was also mighty under the high ball throughout the autumn.
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"His record is unsurpassed. The All Blacks currently hold all the major trophies we play for, he played a critical role in the back-to-back Rugby World Cup victories in 2011 and 2015, and we wish him and the team all the very best for next year's campaign.
"Whatever happens next in Steve's career, his place as a New Zealand rugby legend is guaranteed."
Hansen's decision could lead to Joe Schmidt taking over as New Zealand coach.
The 53-year-old Kiwi has built an Ireland side many believe could topple New Zealand in Japan, with a Test success in Dublin last month adding further weight to that theory.
He is to leave the Ireland job after the World Cup, like England coach Eddie Jones and Wales boss Warren Gatland will do also.
For Hansen, he wants to spend more time with his family.
"After being involved in the All Blacks for 16 years, I do feel it's right for the team for me to stand down. I think change after the Rugby World Cup will bring a new outlook for the team and it'll be time for someone else to enhance the legacy of the All Blacks," he said.
"As only people who have done the job will understand, there are not only heavy demands on yourself, but also on your family. My family has given me unreserved love and support over the last 16 years and I feel it's now time to make them the sole focus."
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Hansen said he was making the decision now to give his employers the best possible chance of finding a credible replacement.
"This is a critical process which shouldn't be rushed and shouldn't be made in the turbulent period that tends to follow a Rugby World Cup campaign," he added.
Before joining the New Zealand set-up, Hansen coached Wales between 2002 and 2004, taking them to the World Cup quarter-finals in 2013.
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