After formally receiving his knighthood today, former All Blacks coach Sir Steve Hansen says he still prefers to be called "just Steve" - although he knows friends will use it cheekily every once and awhile, too.
Sir Steve was officially awarded his New Year Honour at a small investiture ceremony in Christchurch this afternoon and told 1 NEWS soon after that it was a special moment.
"It's a real honour to be awarded the knighthood and a priviledge to be able to share it with the other recipients of their rewards," he said.
"You get to share it with your family and that's a nice thing because it's your family that sacrifices a lot for you to be able to do the things you do to get the reward.
"And it's a priviledge to be able to represent rugby."
Sir Steve became a knight for his services to rugby.
Sir Steve said he'll carry on life as normal despite the honorific.
"There's not too many people calling me Sir Steve, I prefer just Steve," he said.
"But obviously there's formal occasions and on those occasions you'll get it or the odd cheeky mate that wants to give you an annoying 'Sir' every now and again."
Sir Steve was given his title for services to rugby, having been part of the All Blacks from 2004 to 2019, including being the head coach from 2012 until last year.
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