All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has confirmed he will make an announcement regarding his future before Christmas.
Hansen has been involved with the All Blacks since 2004, when he served as an assistant coach under Sir Graham Henry until 2011, before stepping into the head coaching role in 2012.
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The 59-year-old's contract with New Zealand Rugby expires after next year's Rugby World Cup in Japan and speculation suggests he will stand down from his current role.
If Hansen calls it quits, Ireland coach Joe Schmidt is widely tipped to fill the void.
All Blacks head coach Hansen admitted he already knew his long-term plans and would make that public before the end of the year, while Schmidt will make his future plans known after next week's test against the USA Eagles.
Others considered possible replacements include current All Blacks assistant Ian Foster and Wales coach Warren Gatland, who has already confirmed he'll return to New Zealand after the World Cup.
When Hansen was quizzed what Schmidt would do, Hansen revealed he'd already made up his mind about his future.
"You'd have to ask Joe," Hansen said. "We're all going to be making announcements shortly.
"Not right now, no, but I decided before I left I was going to make one and I'll do that when I get home at some stage before Christmas."
Schmidt has proven he's capable of leading the All Blacks, after Ireland beat New Zealand 16-9 on Sunday.
Jacob Stockdale scored the only try of the game at the Aviva Stadium to give Ireland a first-ever victory over the All Blacks on home soil.
Hansen feels Ireland is now the favourite going into next year's World Cup.
"As I said at the start of the week, you have the two best sides in the world playing each other, so as of now, they're the number one in the world, so I guess they are favourites.
"There's a lot of water to go under the bridge before the World Cup, a lot can happen - injuries, sacked coaches - but what we do know is that Ireland will go there reasonably confident, because you've got a good side.
"New Zealand can do that too, because we've got a good side. England do too - nobody knows who is going to win."
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