WELLINGTON –

All Blacks assistant coach Ian Foster has put his hand up to succeed Steve Hansen as head coach of the world champions.

Hansen, who coached the All Blacks to a second successive World Cup win last year, signed a contract extension last month which will see him in charge through to the 2019 tournament in Japan.

But former Waikato Chiefs stalwart Foster was open about his designs on the top job when it eventually becomes vacant.

Asked if he saw himself as an All Blacks head coach, Foster told local radio station Newstalk ZB: "I do from an ambition side, and I guess that's part of the whole thought process for me.

"I love what I do, I love this group and it's just a matter of thinking out, first and foremost, I want to do the best job I can with the role I've got right now, and secondly what do I need to do to make sure I can present myself and put my hand up and say I want to be a head coach for the All Blacks.

"That's part of the next conversation, really, to see what can I do in order do that.

"Do you need to go somewhere else to do that or can you do it by staying within? That's all part of a conversation that's a little bit ongoing at the moment."

Foster has precedent on his side, with Hansen stepping up to the head role after the 2011 World Cup after being an assistant coach to Graham Henry for seven years.