Sir Steve Hansen, renowned former head coach of the All Blacks, has made a thrilling transition to rugby league, taking up the mantle as the new football performance director for NRL's Manly Warringah Sea Eagles. With an impressive tenure that achieved an 87 percent win rate with the All Blacks, Hansen is acclaimed as one of rugby union's finest minds, making his move to the Sea Eagles a significant event in the sports world.
Hansen's role at Manly follows his previous position overseeing the All Blacks from 2012 to 2019, a period that included their victorious 2015 World Cup campaign. Before his head coach role, he contributed as an assistant coach to another World Cup win in 2011 under Sir Graham Henry. This move to NRL marks a new chapter for Hansen, taking place shortly after the Sea Eagles wrapped up their 2026 season with a close contest against the New Zealand Warriors in Auckland.
In June, Manly appointed former New Zealand rugby league star Kieran Foran as their head coach on a three-year contract. Hansen will now collaborate closely with Foran, Manly's CEO Jason King, and the team's football department to foster an environment aimed at achieving high-performance and culture of winning.
"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. 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." - Kieran Foran
Hansen's brief stint as an advisor to the Wallabies during the 2023 World Cup, and a consultancy role at Japanese club Toyota Verblitz, demonstrates his ongoing commitment to rugby and his adaptability across different roles and environments.
Expressing his enthusiasm about joining the Sea Eagles, Hansen highlighted the allure of the club's rich history and identity. He looks forward to his collaboration with Kieran Foran and CEO Jason King, aiming to enhance the club’s strategy and performance.
"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. 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." - Sir Steve Hansen
The significance of Hansen's appointment is not lost on Foran, who sees it as a testament to Manly’s resolve to advance immediately post the 2026 season. By integrating Hansen's profound insights and experience, Foran anticipates an elevation in the team's standards and aspirations.
"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," said Foran, underscoring the strategic intent behind securing Hansen. "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."
This partnership between Hansen and the Sea Eagles promises to bring a refreshing boost to the team's dynamics and strategic execution, potentially setting a new benchmark in NRL performance and culture excellence.
