Hansen leaves the post after Saturday's RBS 6 Nations Championship finale against Italy in Cardiff to return to New Zealand and take up a coaching role alongside Graham Henry with the All Blacks.

The Kiwi believes he is leaving a squad in better condition than when he took over from Henry two years ago, despite a record defeat against Ireland in Dublin.

And Hansen has called on his bosses and the Welsh public to give his unexpected successor, Mike Ruddock, who will be watching at the Millennium Stadium, time to make an impact.

Wales have got to be patient, said Hansen, who was Wales' ninth national coach in 13 years. You have got to give Mike the decency of patience.

You can't expect him to come in and be the Great Redeemer as you have with in the past with every other Welsh coach. Mike has to be given time to pick up the reins.

When I took over we were a hell of a way back in the playing field compared to the major rugby nations.

But we have given France, New Zealand and England, twice, real games. We are in  a situation now that we are not that far away.

There is a lot to look forward to in the future. But, remember, it took England 12 years to win the World Cup. It does not happen overnight.

Hansen insists he has no regrets in coming to Wales despite the wrench of leaving his two teenage daughters for two years.

The former policeman, who had been Henry's assistant for a month before his countryman quit, has faced his share of criticism since taking over as national coach especially last year when Wales suffered an RBS 6 Nations whitewash.

But he can point to taking Wales to the quarter-finals of last year's Rugby World Cup, giving New Zealand and eventual winners England a major fright along the way.

And Wales proved when they came close to causing a Twickenham upset against Clive Woodward's men last Saturday that they could be a force again in the next few years.

It was a big decision to leave New Zealand, added Hansen. I was in a pretty comfortable situation. But I wanted to come and help a rugby nation that was struggling.

I don't regret it for one bit and would do the same again. I have made a lot of friends in Wales."