"Approach made" - Steve Hansen could make shock return to the All Blacks

According to the New Zealand Herald, It comes after the departure of Scott Robertson, and NZR is understood to be casting a wide net for leadership through to at least the end of the 2027 Rugby World Cup cycle.

To be considered, applicants must be New Zealanders with international coaching experience — criteria both Hansen and Foster clearly meet.

However, it’s 

unclear whether either man would be willing to return to a position they stepped down from in 2019 and 2023 respectively — and whether they would want to lead a rebuilding All Blacks squad with fresh expectations and scrutiny at every turn.

Sir Steve Hansen — Age 66
Sir Stephen William Hansen was born on 7 May 1959 in Mosgiel, New Zealand. A former centre and highly respected coach, Hansen was All Blacks head coach from 2012 to 2019, a period that included New Zealand’s 2015 Rugby World Cup triumph and multiple Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup victories.

Hansen is widely regarded for his tactical brilliance, calm under pressure, and ability to cultivate strong team cultures. After stepping down post-2019 World Cup, he moved into consultancy and media roles before coaching in Japan. A proud New Zealander and knighted figure in world rugby, Hansen is synonymous with one of the most successful eras in All Blacks history.

Ian Foster — Age 60
Ian Douglas Foster, born 1 May 1965, is 60 years old. Foster played as a first five-eighth for Waikato and the Chiefs before turning to coaching, where he built a strong reputation both in Super Rugby with the Chiefs and later at international level.

He joined the All Blacks setup in 2012 as an assistant under Hansen before taking over as head coach from 2020 to 2023. In that role, he guided New Zealand to a Rugby World Cup final in 2023 and a string of Rugby Championship titles.

In recognition of his service to rugby, Foster was made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2025 New Year Honours.

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