All Blacks coach Graham Henry wants to extend his contract beyond the end of the current year and possibly lead New Zealand to the 2011 World Cup.

Henry was re-appointed for two years from 2007 after presiding over New Zealand's worst-ever performance at a Rugby World Cup.

He was thought likely to step down when his contract expires later this year and hand charge of the team to his assistant, former Wales coach Steve Hansen.

Henry indicated in a media conference on Wednesday he would like to extend his contract beyond this year, but added "it's not my decision".

"I'd like to continue," said Henry, who also is a former Wales head coach. "We will have to wait and see what happens, I guess.

"I'm sure (the New Zealand Rugby Union) have given it some thought but it's early days isn't it? Those things will take a wee bit of time to get through the system."

Henry's re-appointment after New Zealand's quarter-final defeat by France at the 2007 Rugby World Cup was controversial and deeply divisive in New Zealand.

He held his position in the face of a strong challenge from Crusaders Super 14 coach Robbie Deans, who went on to become Australian coach.

Henry has enjoyed considerable success over the past season, in a continued coaching partnership with Hansen and Wayne Smith, winning the Tri-Nations and Bledisloe Cup last season and guiding the All Blacks to their third Grand Slam of wins over England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales on a European tour.

Those successes allowed him to regain a degree of public acceptance, but a decision to re-appoint him through the 2011 World Cup, which will be held in New Zealand, would likely stir new controversy.

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