Former All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has confirmed he's joining Japanese rugby club Toyota Verblitz as an advisor.
Steve Hansen at the Rugby World Cup. Photo: INPHO 2019
Hansen stepped down from his job with the All Blacks following New Zealand's third place finish at the Rugby World Cup last month.
"I have a new job, it involves me mentoring and consulting and advising the Toyota Verblitz in Japan," Hansen told All Blacks TV.
"It's an interesting role, it's not one as head coach, it's more as an advisor, mentor and requires me up there somewhere between five to 17 weeks a year.
"Whilst it's not a full time coaching role, it is a role that allows me to stay in the game. It's also a role that allows me to have the family time that I want to have and I'm really looking forward to it," Hansen said.
️ WATCH | Outgoing All Blacks Head Coach Steve Hansen has confirmed his next career move to Toyota Verblitz in Japan's Top League. pic.twitter.com/BPsOQfj72K
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) December 2, 2019
Reports emerged earlier this year out of Australia that Hansen would take on the role with the club, with former Waratahs' assistant coach Simon Cron as the head coach.
The Toyota Verblitz play in Japan's Top League and has former All Blacks captain Kieran Read joining their ranks for upcoming season.
New Zealand Rugby is in the process of appointing Hansen's successor with the All Blacks, a decision on who that will be is expected before the end of the year.
Meanwhile the first assignment for Hansen's soon to be appointed replacement will be against Wales at Eden Park in Auckland in July next year.
New Zealand Rugby has confirmed the dates and venues for the All Blacks home tests with Auckland, Wellington, Dunedin and Hamilton to host matches.
The All Blacks will play Wales in Auckland on July 4th and again in Wellington a week later.
Scotland will play a one off test against the All Blacks on July 18th, which will Scotland's first test here in 20 years.
The All Blacks will play the Wallabies in the rugby championship in Wellington on August 15th with the match the second of the three-Test Bledisloe Cup series.
Hamilton will host the All Blacks and Argentina on August 29th with the last home test back at Eden Park against world champions South Africa on September 5th.
Matches:
All Blacks v Wales, 7.35pm, Saturday 4 July, Auckland
All Blacks v Wales, 7.35pm, Saturday 11 July, Wellington
All Blacks v Scotland, 7.35pm, Saturday 18 July, Dunedin
Rugby Championship
All Blacks v Australia, 7.35pm, Saturday 15 August, Wellington
All Blacks v Argentina, 7.35pm, Saturday 29 August, Hamilton
All Blacks v South Africa, 7.35pm, Saturday 5 September, Auckland
