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Joe Schmidt on our radar along with Gatland and Cotter, says All Blacks chief

The Kiwis are planning for Steve Hansen’s exit.

NEW ZEALAND RUGBY chief executive officer Steve Tew has revealed the coaches of Wales, Ireland and Scotland are in the frame to succeed Steve Hansen when the latter leaves his post.

Having led the All Blacks to Rugby World Cup glory last year, Hansen is keen to remain in charge until the end of the 2019 tournament in Japan.

Yet New Zealand want to ensure they are well prepared for Hansen’s eventual departure, with Wales boss Warren Gatland, Ireland coach Joe Schmidt and Scotland chief Vern Cotter among those under consideration.

Tew told the Daily Mail: “Steve [Hansen] has made it clear that he’s interested in going through to the next World Cup and we’re having a conversation about that.

“Clearly we want to make sure we’re in good shape when Steve leaves, as we were when Graham Henry [the man in charge for New Zealand's 2011 World Cup win] left. We’ve got Ian Foster flying under the radar with an unsurpassable record at international level. He’s the assistant coach and may or may not be a candidate.

“Then we’ve got other New Zealanders that are coaching at international level in Vern, Joe and Warren.

“There are a couple of others and, somewhere in that grouping, you would hope there’s an All Blacks coach.”

Hansen served as an assistant to Henry at the 2011 World Cup before stepping up to the top job.

Tew added: “It would be good to have whoever’s going to lead the All Blacks at the 2023 World Cup at the 2019 World Cup, but it doesn’t always work that way.”

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