Three Kiwi rugby coaches have made the shortlist for Coach of the Year at this year's World Rugby Awards but they face stiff competition with Rugby World Cup finalists Eddie Jones and Rassie Erasmus also in the running.
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen, along with Japan's Jamie Joseph and Wales' Warren Gatland were all confirmed as nominees for the award last night, joined by England's Jones and South Africa's Erasmus.
Hansen will coach his final Test against Wales tomorrow night. (Source: Other)
It means departing Ireland coach Joe Schmidt won't have a chance to defend the crown he earned in 2018 after his side bowed out of the World Cup in the quarter-finals and finished third in this year's Six Nations.
The shortlist was selected by a panel comprising former international players Maggie Alphonsi, Brian O’Driscoll and Agustín Pichot, alongside former coaches Nick Mallett and Sir Clive Woodward.
Forwards coach Robin McBryde paid tribute to the Kiwi coach ahead of his final Test. (Source: Other)
Hansen has won the award four times since taking over the All Blacks while Jones picked up his first in 2017. The other three nominees are yet to have won Coach of the Year.
Coincidentally, the teams belong to all five coaches have also been confirmed as the nominees for Team of the Year with four of them making the semi-finals and the Brave Blossoms capturing the attention and hearts of their nation after making their first quarter-final, doing so on home soil.
The winners will be announced at the World Rugby Awards at The Prince Park Tower in Tokyo, Japan, on 3 November.
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