How a former policeman led the All Blacks to historic rugby dominance
In short: Before coaching the world's most successful rugby team, Steve Hansen spent six years in the New Zealand Police. His tenure as All Blacks head coach saw unprecedented feats, including becoming the first team to ever retain the Webb Ellis Cup and securing a record-breaking winning streak.
Steve Hansen's coaching journey is defined by extraordinary success and high-stakes transitions. After serving in the New Zealand Police at the Hornby Police Station, he began his coaching career with the Canterbury provincial team in 1996. Following a stint as the Wales head coach in 2002—a period marked by a difficult 10-match losing streak—Hansen returned to New Zealand to join the All Blacks as an assistant under Graham Henry in 2004.
Hansen was formally appointed as the All Blacks head coach on 15 December 2011. His leadership era was characterized by clinical dominance. In 2012, he guided the team to a perfect 14–0 season, winning every match and becoming the first professional team to achieve a clean sweep of the Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup. He was named IRB Coach of the Year for two consecutive years in 2012 and 2014.
His crowning achievement came during the 2015 Rugby World Cup, where he led New Zealand to victory over Australia 34–17 in the final. This made the All Blacks the first team to successfully retain the Webb Ellis Cup and their first victory in the tournament outside of New Zealand. Beyond the pitch, Hansen has also found success as a part-owner of the 2021 Everest-winning horse, Nature Strip.
Hansen's tenure was not without challenges. He faced significant squad transitions, managing the retirements of legends like Dan Carter and Richie McCaw while integrating new talent. Despite occasional setbacks, such as a 57–0 victory over South Africa in 2017, his leadership remains a benchmark in professional rugby.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Steve Hansen
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