All Blacks coach Steve Hansen will keep his job until the end of 2017 irrespective of how New Zealand's title defence goes at next year's World Cup.
Hansen is the first New Zealand coach to be given such security ahead of the four-yearly Rugby World Cup and will still be at the helm against the 2017 Lions.
The decision demonstrates the faith New Zealand Rugby and the players have in Hansen, NZR chief executive Steve Tew said on Tuesday.
Hansen said he was honoured by the move and that he still has the hunger to coach the All Blacks until 2017.
Tew last month expressed a desire to retain Hansen in the role beyond the World Cup in the United Kingdom next year, when his current two-year contract expires.
The 55-year-old has forged a remarkable record since succeeding Graham Henry as head coach in the wake of their 2011 World Cup triumph.
The All Blacks have lost just twice in 42 Tests, drawing two and winning the other 38.
Hansen has been named world coach of the year for the last three seasons.
He was Welsh national coach before serving as assistant to Henry for eight years.
He signed an initial two-year contract as head coach and doubled that tenure in a contract signed in 2013.
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