Steve Hansen to be Knighted for 15 year service with the All Blacks

Steve Hansen's 15-year tenure with the All Blacks has been recognised, soon to be knighted as 'Sir Steve', a Knights Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to rugby.

After linking up with the All Blacks in 2004 as an assistant coach to Sir Graham Henry, Steve Hansen took the reigns of the world champions in 2012, having lifted the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

From there though, Sir Steve took a great All Blacks side and made them better, going through the 2013 season unbeaten, before becoming the first side to defend the Rugby World Cup in 2015 in England.

Sir Steve's achievements as coach of the All Blacks had seen him named as World Rugby's coach of the year in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2016. His tenure also saw the All Blacks named as World Rugby's team of the year from 2012 through to 2017.