John Plumtree: Discarded All Blacks coach finds new role
2H52Y8E Rugby Union - Autumn International - Italy v New Zealand - Stadio Olimpico, Rome, Italy - November 6, 2021 New Zealand head coach Ian Foster and assistant John Plumtree inside the stadium before the match REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane
Former New Zealand assistant coach John Plumtree has found his first assignment since being axed from the All Blacks set-up by taking a role with Manawatū in the NPC.
Plumtree left the Hurricanes in 2020 to become one of Ian Foster’s assistants in the All Blacks’ backroom team, but he only lasted just over two years.
Following the country’s dreadful run of form, which saw them succumb to four defeats in five, culminating in a 2-1 series defeat to Ireland, the 57-year-old was duly discarded.
There were reports that the players were not happy with his methods and, alongside Brad Mooar, he was jettisoned from the New Zealand set-up ahead of their tour to South Africa.
However, he is now helping Manawatū head coach Peter Russell, and doing so free of charge.
Plumtree’s passion
“He reached out to me to see if he could have a hand in taking the distraction away of the last two or three weeks,” Russell told Stuff.
“He wanted to get back on the grass and get coaching, because that’s his passion. I’d be bloody stupid if I didn’t (take up his offer).
“That’s what you do as coaches. I’ve been through that before. You don’t sit at home in self-pity, you’ve just got to deal with it, and the only way to deal with it is get back on the horse again, no matter what level you get to.”
The Turbos boss does not know whether it will be on a full-time basis, with Plumtree currently only acting as a mentor, but Russell is just happy to have him on board.
Nothing guaranteed
“He hasn’t sort of guaranteed anything over the next couple of weeks, but he will just come in when needed, observe from a distance,” Russell said.
“We’re really just very privileged to have him on board in that sort of capacity.
“It’s a real positive for us, and for our level of rugby, that we have someone like him coming back into our environment.
“He’s also thankful for the opportunity. He just wants to coach. He just wants to keep going and support where he can. It’s fantastic.”
READ MORE: Joe Schmidt’s addition to All Blacks coaching staff a ‘masterstroke’ says Isa Nacewa