Outgoing All Blacks coach Graham Henry has nominated his assistant Steve Hansen as the man who should replace him.

Henry and Hansen guided New Zealand to victory in the World Cup along with Wayne Smith, who has already announced that he will be involved with the Chiefs in an advisory role next season.

The trio were reappointed in 2007 after the All Blacks were knocked out at the World Cup quarterfinals and repaid the faith shown in them by winning the 2011 tournament.

Henry argued for continuity in the role as All Blacks coach, saying a complete change will mean lessons learnt from past experience would be lost if a completely new coaching team was appointed.