Hansen appointed new coach of the ABs

World champions New Zealand have appointed Steve Hansen as their new head coach.

Hansen, Graham Henry's assistant at the World Cup, has been handed a two-year deal along with one assistant coach, who will be named next week.

New Zealander Hansen, 52, also followed Henry as head coach of Wales, where he enjoyed mixed results between 2002-04.

"No words can explain how humbling it is to be given the opportunity to be the All Blacks coach," Hansen said.

"From a coaching point of view, in this sport it's the greatest honour you can receive. It comes with a huge amount of responsibility.

"All I can say is I'm a passionate New Zealander, passionate about New Zealand rugby and passionate about the All Black jersey and its legacy.

"I look forward to the next two years and achieving things with this team and enhancing that legacy and taking it forward."

It has been a long wait in the wings for the former Canterbury coach, who was first appointed Henry's assistant in 2004.

Hansen was initially the forwards coach in the All Blacks set-up before a shake-up at the end of 2009 saw him become the new attacking coach.