KEY POINTS:
Robbie Deans is keen to throw himself back into the role of Crusaders rugby coach, now that he knows the All Blacks job is not his.
The New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) announced this morning that incumbent Graham Henry would remain as All Blacks coach for at least
another two years.
Henry, whose team lost to France in the World Cup quarterfinal in Wales in October, held off challenges from Deans, Chiefs' coach Ian Foster and Hurricanes' coach Colin Cooper.
Deans said he would not lose his will to coach the All Blacks.
"I don't think I will ever lose that, there are a lot of people that would love that opportunity," he told Radio Sport.
"I was fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to interview, gave it my best shot, but it wasn't good enough and now I guess the one good thing to come out of it is that I've got some clarity."
Deans is contracted to coach the Crusaders in the 2008 Super 14 season and said he was keen to get stuck into that role.
"I feel like I've neglected them a little bit in the last couple of weeks ...it will be good to get back and get on with that programme.
"I'd like to coach the All Blacks one day, obviously, but for now that's not the case. I've got a great job to go back to so I'm looking forward to that."
A Crusaders spokesman said Deans this afternoon had two private engagements in Christchurch, including a wedding, and had committed to attending those.
The 48-year-old appeared to be in the frame for the job of Wallabies coach following the World Cup but maintained his focus was the All Blacks job.
Meanwhile, Henry said he was grateful to get another chance.
"We have been a strong and successful team over the last few years but we were hugely disappointed we didn't bring the World Cup back for New Zealanders," he said.
"We have learnt lessons from this campaign and we now look forward to being able to build on those learnings and the experience we have."
Henry, 61, coached the All Blacks to 42 wins and six losses after being appointed four years ago.
In a statement, NZRU acting chairman Mike Eagle said that the appointment followed a thorough process, which reflected the importance of the position to New Zealand rugby.
"At the end of the process, the board concluded that Graham Henry was the best candidate for the position," he said.
"We are all disappointed not to have won the Rugby World Cup. In that regard, the NZRU Board accepts it was jointly responsible and accountable for the result and the planning that went into the campaign.
"We are committed to learning the key lessons, which will be explored in the independent review announced earlier this week, led by Mike Heron and high performance expert Don Tricker."
- NZPA
