New Zealand coach Graham Henry will be replaced by the end of the year after the All Blacks were knocked out of the World Cup by France on Saturday.

"We will have a new All Blacks coach in place by Christmas," New Zealand Rugby Football Union chairman Jock Hobbs told a news conference. "I take responsibility for this campaign. I don't want to make an immediate reaction."

Hobbs said an independent inquiry would be set up to investigate New Zealand's failure to advance past the quarter-finals for the first time.

New Zealand, who lost 20-18 to France at the Millennium Stadium, have not won the World Cup since the inaugural 1987 tournament.

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