New Zealand Rugby Chief Reveals List Of Candidates For All Blacks Job

The hottest coaching ticket in rugby.

All Blacks boss Steve Hansen is expected to quit his role as head coach following the 2019 Rugby World Cup, leaving the biggest coaching job in world rugby up for grabs.

A number of coaches have already been linked with the role, with the search for a successor set to begin as soon as after the Lions tour. New Zealand Rugby Union chief executive Steve Tew says the likes of Joe Schmidt, Warren Gatland and Pat Lam will all be considered.

Joe Schmidt’s contract with Ireland ends just as the role comes up, leaving him as a prime candidate. Tew says they have kept in contact with the Ireland boss, among others.

“You’d have to ask Joe if he wants to apply for the job, but he’s obviously a very good coach,” said Tew.

We’ve kept in contact with Joe about the job, like we’ve kept in touch with Vern Cotter and others. Where do I start and stop? There’s Jamie Joseph, there’s Warren Gatland, there’s Pat Lam and others and we will consider a number of options. Joe is among those options.

“We’ll be having a conversation with our board in the second half of this year about the process that will run. Then we’ll make that known to everybody once it’s done and dusted.”

Tew also says Hansen will be given an opportunity to give his opinion on the new coach, but he won’t have a vote.

“I’m sure Steve will voice his opinion about who will be the next coach because he has invested a huge amount in this team,” Tew added.

“He won’t have a vote, but his experience and understanding of the side means he will be someone who will be consulted. At this stage we’re not quite sure when the running for the job will begin because Steve hasn’t quite decided on a final decision about his future.

“He and this group are appointed until the next Rugby World Cup and in the near future we will make a decision about who to appoint.”

Emphasising Schmidt as one of the main contenders, Tew added:

“The critical thing from our point of view is we’re not going to appoint someone who doesn’t have a good grounding in New Zealand rugby and who doesn’t have a good vision for the team that we can all buy into.

“I think Joe is someone who might have that, but we would hope all the New Zealand coaches who are offshore would be keeping an eye on the job and considering it as an option. Ultimately it will come down to who applies, who we see as the best candidate, and who has the best team around them to take the team forward.”

[The42.ie]