The start of 2019 for Hansen saw his side finish third in the Rugby Championship; the first time they have finished in that position since The Rugby Championship inception – the last being during the 2004 Tri Nations Series. The Championship saw a first draw against the Springboks since 1994, followed by a record-levelling defeat at the hands of the Wallabies, 47–26. Despite that score, New Zealand went onto secure the Bledisloe Cup after beating Australia in the return leg 36–0. In the 2019 Rugby World Cup New Zealand topped its pool, defeating eventual champions South Africa, but was comfortably defeated in the semi-final 19-7 by England. New Zealand went on to beat Wales 40-17 in the bronze match.