Hansen ready for best shot at All Blacks top job

When Steve Hansen visualises his interview to become the next All Black coach, he washes away many of his experiences from the past eight years.

The 52-year-old career coach believes he's ready to take on the senior role he had with Wales for two seasons, ready to keep up the momentum Graham Henry generated in 103 tests with the All Blacks.

"People must understand coach-ing is a completely different role," Hansen said. "What is... seen from me as assistant coach is not what happens when you drive the bus.

"It's making sure people understand that you've got the qualities to drive the bus, that is the key thing.

"There are many areas. You have to deal with various off-field things, work on the strategy, planning and bringing a team together, getting the culture right and all those things."

The job could take its toll. It was unrelenting. Henry mentioned that issue when he stood down this week and fellow assistant Wayne Smith had also noted the effects when he revealed he was leaving his role.

Hansen had tasted the tasks with Wales, watched Henry for eight years and was keen to take the All Blacks through their next challenges.

He was not sure if his knowledge of the New Zealand Rugby Union and their practices would be of help or hindrance in his job application. They all knew each others' strengths and weaknesses. "So obviously you've got to go in well-prepared. When you walk in, you have to be on the money," Hansen said.

He didn't mind interviews, although he hadn't been to one for a while and might be a bit rusty.

"If you just talk from the heart and talk from your experiences and are honest and up front, then what will be, will be," Hansen said.

"It's not about going in and trying to bullshit anyone. It's about going in, being straight up and saying this is how I see it, these are the qualities I bring, these are the things I would like to see happen, these are the people I would like to help me do the job and these are the reasons why."

Hansen knew he would never get a better chance to be All Blacks coach.

"I believe I'm ready for it, I'm excited by the thought of it but I have to get it first. There are no assumptions from me that is the case. I have to go and present well and convince the panel I can do that and I'm confident I can do the right thing.

"If not, it'll be hugely disappointing. I've been part of a team for eight years and I've always been a believer that the team comes first and the individual comes second."

Since the manic days of the All Black parades, Hansen has been indulging his horse racing passion with a visit to the Melbourne Cup. It was his third visit to the Flemington carnival but he was feeling a little jaded after all the socialising.

Hansen had done plenty of thinking this year about his campaign to be coach and who he would have as running mates. He wouldn't divulge their identities but they would be people motivated by team priorities.

"Those types of people aren't always available so sometimes you have to do different things," he suggested. "I'd look at the key strengths of people who would complement a group."

Some of the spillover from the World Cup triumph would help his cause in the coaching election. Experience was gold, as long as you kept learning along the way.

The All Blacks now had breathing space in which to recharge and enjoy the World Cup euphoria. For Hansen, that had yet to sink in but he was sure it would happen once everyone's energy levels returned to normal.

Many World Cup winning teams suffered a drop-off in form but New Zealand wouldn't accept that and nor would the All Blacks because expectation drove the organisation.