For Steve Hansen, the 2025–26 season in Japan had been an exercise in patience. His Toyota Verblitz side had lost seven consecutive matches heading into a clash with defending champions Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo, and questions were mounting. But on 22 February 2026, the former All Blacks boss saw everything click: a 52–21 thrashing that wasn’t just a win — it was a statement. Here’s how Hansen’s Verblitz turned frustration into a record upset, and what it means for the rest of the season.

4 related posts

Date of win: 22 February 2026 ·
Final score: Toyota Verblitz 52–21 Toshiba Brave Lupus ·
Hansen’s previous winless streak: 3 matches without a win ·
Opponent status: Defending champions ·
Ex-All Blacks on staff: Steve Hansen and Ian Foster

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Whether Verblitz can sustain momentum after the upset (RugbyPass analysis)
  • Hansen’s long-term plans beyond his current contract (RugbyPass analysis)
  • Exact future of Whitney Hansen’s rugby career (if any) (RugbyPass analysis)
3Timeline signal
  • Verblitz led 20-0 after first 30 minutes (RugbyPass match report)
  • First win since the opening round of 2025-26 season (Toyota Verblitz official site)
4What’s next
  • Verblitz face tougher opponents in Japan Rugby League One (RugbyPass forecast)

The table below outlines the key biographical details of Hansen, drawn from his career and his role at Toyota Verblitz.

Attribute Value
Full name Sir Steven ‘Steve’ Hansen
Date of birth 7 May 1959
Nationality New Zealand
All Blacks head coach tenure 2014–2019
Toyota Verblitz role Director of Rugby (since 2020)
Major achievement 2015 Rugby World Cup winner

Who is Steve Hansen?

Few figures cast a longer shadow over recent rugby history than Sir Steve Hansen. The New Zealander rose through the coaching ranks over three decades, earning a reputation as a master tactician and a demanding leader.

Early coaching career

  • Hansen began his coaching career in New Zealand’s domestic competition with Canterbury and the Crusaders (Wikipedia biography).
  • He served as an assistant coach for the Welsh national team before returning to New Zealand (Wikipedia).

All Blacks head coach (2014–2019)

  • Hansen took over as head coach of the New Zealand All Blacks in 2014 (Wikipedia).
  • He had previously been an assistant coach under Graham Henry from 2004 to 2011 (Wikipedia).
  • Under his leadership, the All Blacks won the 2015 Rugby World Cup (Wikipedia).

Post-All Blacks roles

  • After stepping down in 2019, Hansen took a role as Director of Rugby at Toyota Verblitz in Japan (Wikipedia).
  • He was knighted in the 2020 New Year Honours (Wikipedia).
Bottom line: Steve Hansen is a World Cup-winning coach who built his reputation on tactical precision and high standards, then moved to Japan to lead a rebuilding project at Toyota Verblitz.

What was Steve Hansen’s record?

His All Blacks tenure produced numbers that stand out even by New Zealand’s lofty standards. Here’s how the record book reads.

All Blacks win rate

  • As head coach, Hansen won 93 of 107 tests — a win rate of 86.9% (Wikipedia).

Rugby World Cup performance

  • Won the 2015 Rugby World Cup in England (Wikipedia).
  • Finished third in 2019 after a semi-final loss to England (Wikipedia).

Bledisloe Cup and series wins

  • Under Hansen, the All Blacks held the Bledisloe Cup throughout his tenure (Wikipedia).
  • They also won multiple Rugby Championship titles (Wikipedia).
The upshot

Hansen’s 86.9% win rate makes him one of the most successful All Blacks coaches in history, but his legacy is defined by the 2015 World Cup triumph rather than raw numbers.

Bottom line: Hansen’s All Blacks record: 93 wins in 107 tests, a Rugby World Cup, and sustained dominance in the Southern Hemisphere.

Where is Steve Hansen now?

Since leaving the All Blacks, Hansen has been based in Nagoya, Japan, working with Toyota Verblitz. His role is defined by off-field structure rather than day-to-day coaching.

Move to Toyota Verblitz

  • Hansen joined Toyota Verblitz as Director of Rugby in 2020 (Wikipedia).
  • The club is based in Nagoya and competes in Japan Rugby League One.

Role as Director of Rugby

  • He oversees coaching staff and player development (RugbyPass).
  • Former All Blacks head coach Ian Foster serves as Verblitz’s head coach (RugbyPass).
Bottom line: Hansen is in Nagoya, applying his strategic and management experience to build a competitive side in Japan’s top league.

Who coaches Toyota Verblitz?

The Verblitz coaching box is stacked with All Blacks pedigree, with Hansen and Foster working alongside other experienced figures.

Steve Hansen’s coaching team

  • Hansen (DoR) and Ian Foster (head coach) form the senior coaching pair (RugbyPass).
  • The staff also includes former international players.

Ian Foster as head coach

  • Foster, who succeeded Hansen as All Blacks head coach, now runs the Verblitz game plan (Wikipedia profile).
The paradox

Having the last two All Blacks head coaches running the same club is rare in professional rugby, but Verblitz’s poor results before the win suggest the pairing hasn’t yet clicked consistently.

What does Steve Hansen do now?

Beyond the matchday victories, Hansen’s behind-the-scenes work shapes Verblitz’s direction.

Day-to-day responsibilities at Verblitz

  • Hansen is involved in strategic planning and mentoring coaches (Wikipedia).
  • He continues to live in Nagoya, Japan, with his family.

Involvement in player recruitment and strategy

  • He occasionally serves as a rugby pundit for international broadcasts.
  • Player recruitment for Verblitz has brought in former All Blacks Aaron Smith and Mark Telea (RugbyPass).

The implication: Hansen’s operational role means the victory reflects his long-term planning as much as match-day execution.

Timeline: Steve Hansen’s coaching journey

  • 2004–2011: Assistant coach of All Blacks under Graham Henry (Wikipedia)
  • 2012–2013: Head coach of All Blacks (interim then permanent) (Wikipedia)
  • 2014–2019: Full head coach; wins 2015 Rugby World Cup (Wikipedia)
  • 2020: Appointed Director of Rugby at Toyota Verblitz (Wikipedia)
  • January 2025: Verblitz start 2025-26 season with 3 consecutive winless games (Toyota Verblitz official site)
  • 22 February 2026: Toyota Verblitz defeats Toshiba Brave Lupus 52-21 (RugbyPass)

Clarity: What’s confirmed and what’s unclear

After the upset win, some facts are solid, while other questions remain open.

Confirmed facts

  • Steve Hansen is Director of Rugby at Toyota Verblitz (Wikipedia).
  • Toyota Verblitz beat Toshiba Brave Lupus 52-21 on 22 Feb 2026 (RugbyPass).
  • Hansen previously coached All Blacks and won 2015 RWC (Wikipedia).
  • Ian Foster is head coach of Toyota Verblitz (RugbyPass).
  • Verblitz snapped a seven-match losing streak (Toyota Verblitz official site).

What’s unclear

  • Whether Verblitz can sustain momentum after the upset win.
  • Hansen’s long-term plans beyond his current contract.
  • Exact future of Whitney Hansen’s rugby career (if any).

Quotes and perspectives from the win

“This is the kind of performance we’ve been chasing all season.”

— Steve Hansen, after the 52-21 win (Toyota Verblitz official site)

“Fallen All Blacks chief stages stunning upset in Japan.”

— RugbyPass headline (RugbyPass)

“Aaron Smith and Mark Telea shine as Toyota Verblitz stun the defending champions.”

— PlanetRugby coverage (as referenced by multiple outlets)

“Verblitz’s worst start before the win had raised questions about the Hansen-Foster partnership.”

— The Post (New Zealand) analysis

Summary: What this win means for Verblitz

The 52-21 victory is more than a one-off upset. It showed that Toyota Verblitz can execute a game plan against elite opposition, even while sitting 8th in the league. The challenge is consistency. For Hansen and Foster, who together bring decades of All Blacks experience, the expectation is that this win becomes a springboard rather than an outlier. For Japan Rugby League One fans, the paradox is clear: a team with two former All Blacks head coaches and several former All Blacks players should not have needed seven losses to find a win. For Toyota Verblitz, the choice is simple — repeat this performance next week, or face the same questions all over again.

Related reading: Michael Campbell Net Worth · Auckland to Japan Flight Time

Additional sources

ruckersforum.com, rugby-addict.com

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Frequently asked questions

Is Whitney Hansen related to Steve Hansen?

There is no public record confirming a family relationship between Whitney Hansen and Steve Hansen. Whitney Hansen is not a known figure in rugby circles.

Who are the key players on Toyota Verblitz?

Key players include former All Blacks Aaron Smith (scrum-half) and Mark Telea (winger), who both scored tries in the upset win (RugbyPass).

What is Steve Hansen’s net worth?

Steve Hansen’s net worth is not publicly disclosed. He earned a top-level coaching salary while with the All Blacks and currently holds a senior role at Toyota Verblitz.

How many games has Toyota Verblitz won in the 2025-26 season?

Before the 22 February win, Verblitz had won just one of eight matches (RugbyPass). The victory over Toshiba Brave Lupus was their second win of the season (Toyota Verblitz official site).

Was Steve Hansen ever a head coach before the All Blacks?

Yes, Hansen was head coach of Wales from 2002 to 2004, then returned to New Zealand as an assistant before becoming All Blacks head coach in 2012 (Wikipedia).

What is Steve Hansen’s coaching philosophy?

Hansen is known for a focus on structure, set-piece precision, and high-tempo attack. He emphasizes player accountability and forward dominance (Wikipedia).

Why did Toyota Verblitz struggle before the win?

Verblitz had a difficult start to the 2025-26 season, winning only their opening match and then losing seven straight. Injuries, cohesion issues, and a tough schedule are cited as factors (RugbyPass).