2019 Rugby World Cup looms as a multi-horse race

Steve Hansen is set for one heck of a last lap of the track.

The All Blacks coach, who has confirmed he will step down from the job at year’s end, has labelled the looming Rugby World Cup in Japan as the most competitive there has ever been.

‘‘It’s going to be one heck of a tournament. We’re excited about the challenge we have to try and win three in a row. No-one has done that and we’re the only ones with that chance.

‘‘But there will also be teams who have never won it before, and they’ll want to do that, and will get excited for those reasons. It’s going to be a great tournament.’’

Hansen’s belief that a tournament dominated by southern hemisphere nations (winning all but one title) is as open as it’s ever been is fuelled by what he has seen in the north over the last few years, and particularly the past few weeks in the Six Nations.

‘‘It’s been interesting. Ireland went in as firm favourites and with a lot of expectation and probably haven’t delivered on that yet. England have played really well, as have Wales.

‘‘One thing you can say with genuine honesty is all teams up there are playing well. France should have beaten Wales in the first round and threw it away. England, Ireland and Wales are good rugby sides, France are capable on their day of doing whatever necessary to win and Scotland have shown the last 24 months they’re a good team too.’’