Tokyo (AFP)
Steve Hansen said he was "incredibly fortunate" to have been the All Blacks coach for eight years, leaving Friday after a third-place finish at the World Cup against Wales (40-17). Tokyo.
"I was incredibly lucky, with great leaders like Richie (McCaw, the former captain) and + Reado + (Kieran Read) who took over, I received full support from staff and managers, + Fozzie + (Ian Foster, back coach) is a great coach and + Krono + (Mike Kron, scrum) a great coach, and one person can not do alone what we've accomplished all these years, "Hansen told reporters.
Assistant to the 2011 world title, he led New Zealanders to the roof of the world for the second time four years later, in England.
"Now, I think the group has to start on new goals for the next four years, and I know the young people will leave with a deep pain" after the defeat in the semi-finals against England (19-). 7), the first for New Zealand at the World Cup since 2007.
"It's a personal affair, so it's going to make them a bit more dangerous, and I can not wait to see them continue to grow," said Hansen, who was announced as Toyota's Verblitz (Japan) rugby director after the World Cup.
Hansen, who has won 83 of his 107 test-matches at the head of the All Blacks, said he was "proud to have forced the other teams to become better by fighting against us".
Kieran Read, who put an end to 34 years, to his international career on a 127th selection and a 52nd captaincy, "had a great day". "I tried to enjoy the moment, to enjoy my day, and at the beginning of the week, I tried to evacuate my emotions," added the N.8, with two world titles.
"I love playing with this team and my teammates, and being able to share this after the match with my family (present at the game) was great," said Read.
"I will keep this memory for a long time.This World Cup, it will take a little time to digest, but ultimately I will remember this day as a good memory," he added.
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