New Zealand Rugby chairman Brent Impey told media yesterday that we should be able to name the 26 New Zealanders who have been approached about coaching the All Blacks
"You'll know them all," Impey said as he explained the process that NZR would go through before appointing the coach prior to Christmas.
"We wrote to 26, whether they be international coaches, current New Zealand Rugby coaches, whether they be the All Blacks, our Super [Rugby] teams, clubs overseas, the whole bunch.
"I'm sure if you sat down, you'd be able to write the whole bunch of them out."
So, we thought we would give it a go, here's our list:
All Blacks assistant Ian Foster – the former Chiefs coach has been an assistant to Steve Hansen since 2012.
Dave Rennie – the Glasgow coach won two Super titles with the Chiefs and has confirmed an approach from New Zealand Rugby.
Scott Robertson – The former All Black has led the Crusaders to a historic three-peat.
Jamie Joseph – Another former All Black who has done historic things with Japan and has a Super title on his resume.
Tony Brown – Joseph’s assistant at both Japan and at the Highlanders.
‘I’m not going to get into that’ the outgoing captain said when asked about Foster and Robertson’s merits. (Source: Other)
Chris Boyd – The Super-title winning Hurricanes coach is now the Director of Rugby at Northampton.
Leon MacDonald – The former All Black is currently in charge of the Blues, having served as an assistant for Robertson at the Crusaders.
Colin Cooper – The former Chiefs coach has also led the Maori All Blacks.
John Plumtree – The Hurricanes coach has international experience, having led the Sharks in South Africa.
Aaron Mauger – The former All Black and current Highlanders coach.
Blues assistant Tom Coventry – The forwards coach has earned praise for his work improving the Blues at the breakdown.
Auckland coach Alama Ieremia
Montpellier coach Vern Cotter
Tasman Mako co-coach Andrew Goodman
Tasman Mako co-coach Clarke Dermody
Bristol and former Blues coach Pat Lam
Director of Rugby at Bath Todd Blackadder
Georgia coach Milton Haig
Pau coach Simon Mannix
Former Connacht and Mako coach Kieran Keane, now with North Harbour
Tabai Matson
Kieran Crowley
Maori All Blacks coach Clayton McMillan
Blues assistant and Samoa coach Steve Jackson
La Rochelle director of rugby Jono Gibbes
Ireland scrum coach Greg Feek
Not considered for the sake of our list were:
Chiefs coach Warren Gatland because of his commitment to coach the Lions in 2021.
Wayne Pivac because he his replacing Gatland as Wales coach.
Brad Mooar, who is replacing Pivac as head coach at Scarlets.
England defence coach John Mitchell and former All Blacks analyst Alistair Rogers.
Joe Schmidt, ruling himself out of contention for family reasons.
- By 1 NEWS Now's Daniel Fraser
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