Et tu, Brute? All Blacks legend Steve Hansen switches to Rugby League

Hansen is widely regarded as one of rugby union's best-ever coaches as he finished his stint in charge of the All Blacks with a remarkable 87 per cent winning rate, losing just 10 of 107 Tests.

He was New Zealand's head coach from 2012 to 2019, and during their triumphant 2015 Rugby World Cup campaign in England, while he also served as an assistant coach under Sir Graham Henry when the men in black won the global showpiece on home soil in 2011.

The 67-year-old's appointment is part of a major coaching restructure at the Sea Eagles and comes just days after they completed their 2026 NRL campaign against the New Zealand Warriors in Auckland; narrowly missing out on the competition's play-offs.

In June, Manly appointed former New Zealand rugby league international Kieran Foran as their new head coach on a three-year deal after he served in the position on an interim basis earlier this year.

Hansen will work closely with Foran, Manly's chief executive Jason King and the club's football department, bringing an extraordinary level of experience in developing high-performance environments and winning cultures.

Foran said he is excited by the opportunity to work alongside Hansen.

"To have someone of Steve Hansen's experience, knowledge and proven record of building winning cultures joining our football department is a massive opportunity for this club," he said.

"I have enormous respect for Steve and what he has achieved. He is one of the greatest sporting minds of his generation, and I am incredibly excited to work with him and learn from him."

Hansen spent a brief time with the Wallabies as an advisor ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France, before joining Japanese outfit Toyota Verblitz as a consultant.

He revealed that he is looking forward to joining the Sea Eagles and to working alongside Foran.

"I'm really excited to be joining the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles and to be part of a club that is steeped in history, success and a strong sporting identity," said Hansen.

"There is a lot to like about what Manly is building, and I'm particularly looking forward to working with Kieran and CEO Jason King."

Foran believes Hansen's appointment demonstrates Manly's determination to act immediately following the 2026 season.

"We don't want to simply talk about getting better; we want to put the right people and structures in place to make it happen," he said.

"Steve brings an incredible level of experience and insight, and I know he will challenge all of us to think bigger, raise our standards and become better."

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