His likely assistant, Ian Foster, will not have to though, and it is this process that has raised eyebrows among rival coaches.
The Hansen and Foster double act has been widely signalled as the combination to take over from Graham Henry when his NZRU contract expires at the end of the year. Indeed, senior All Blacks were told earlier in the year that the pair would be the next coaches in charge of the national team.
Hansen is seen as a sensible choice. The former Canterbury, Crusaders and Wales coach joined the All Black coaching team in 2004, working alongside Henry and Wayne Smith, who is leaving to be Dave Rennie's assistant at the Chiefs next season.
Hansen has continuity on his side, but also the belief and trust of senior All Blacks. Having won the World Cup, he also now has a decent track record.
Applications for the role of next All Black coach close on November 25 and it is understood that about 20 eligible coaches have been sent a letter from NZRU high performance manager Don Tricker asking them to consider applying.
But the devil is in the detail - only head coaches will be interviewed and only after they signal their preferred coaching team.
The letter states: ‘‘All applications should include an up-to-date CV covering both on-field and off-field experience, along with an indication of the makeup of your preferred coaching team.''
Several coaches in New Zealand who have received the letters have spoken off the record to APNZ about the ‘‘flaw'' in this selection process, with one saying the coaching stocks in this country were not big enough to organise alliances before applying for the top job.
‘‘You could get to the stage where the assistant coach will lobby for the top job and might get it because no-one else has formed the right alliances,'' he said. ‘‘There should be a separate interview process for assistant coaches.''
Another point one coach made was that, on paper, Foster does not have a great record. He was in charge of the Chiefs for eight years from 2004 and his most successful season by far was in 2009, when his side made the Super 14 final against the Bulls in Pretoria, only to lose 61-17.
Given the process, presumably neither Tricker nor the NZRU board will have the opportunity to ask Foster about his coaching philosophies or strengths or weaknesses before he is named alongside Hansen.
Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed during the week beginning December 12. Following the initial interview, up to two candidates will be interviewed by the NZRU board and a decision will be made by Christmas.
The drums are also beating for Mick Byrne to be involved with Hansen and Foster. Byrne, the current All Black skills coach, had a role with Japan in the recent World Cup. A former AFL player, he has also worked with the Manly Rugby League club and the Scotland Rugby Union, and will have a wider role in any future All Blacks set up.
Henry will reveal his plans for the future in Auckland today. He will make the announcement with NZRU chief executive Steve Tew at the Auckland University Rugby Club at midday.
- Patrick Mckendry
