STEVE HANSEN has succeeded Graham Henry as the head coach of an international side for the second time in his career and will take charge of the World Cup-winning All Blacks.

When Henry stood down as Wales’s head coach in 2002, Hansen took over and was at the helm for two years before returning to New Zealand, where Henry had already assumed control of the All Blacks. Hansen was part of Henry’s management team for more than seven years, in charge of the forwards for the most part, and with Wayne Smith they formed a triumvirate dubbed the three wise men.

Smith, who was the All Blacks’ head coach for two years from 1999, did not put himself forward for Henry’s job, having accepted a position with the Chiefs in Waikato. He has been linked with a position on England’s management team next year.

Hansen was Henry’s recommended successor and, although he faced competition from the Clermont Auvergne head coach, Vern Cotter, his appointment was regarded as little more than a formality after the All Blacks won the World Cup in October, after five botched campaigns, and Henry announced he would not be staying on.

The NZRU, feeling it was rewarded for keeping faith with Henry, Hansen and Smith after the All Blacks endured their worst World Cup campaign in 2007, has again opted for continuity after interviewing Hansen for three hours on Thursday.

“I feel humble and proud to be leading the team into its next phase,” Hansen said. “My aim will be to leave it in better shape than how I found it and to enhance its legacy. I think I have got good technical knowledge and man-management skills and I am a pretty good strategic planner.

“A big difference will be that Graham, Wayne and Mike (Cron, the scrummaging coach) will not be there so there will be some subtle changes straight away, not that we will be dumping the systems and structures that have served us for the last eight years. I am excited by this.”

Richie McCaw is likely to remain the All Blacks’ captain under Hansen. The flanker has turned down a knighthood in the new year honours list because he decided the time was not right, New Zealand’s prime minister John Key revealed.

“In the end the conclusion that he drew was that he would love to take it but now wasn’t the right time,” Key said. “He made the call that he’s still in his playing career and it didn’t feel quite right for him.”

Jonny Wilkinson yesterday signed a contract extension with Toulon which ties him to the club until 2013, when he will be 34.