New Zealand Rugby begins search for new All Blacks head coach and reveals crucial requirement for the position
The All Blacks form a huddle during a Test and New Zealand Rugby chairman David Kirk (inset).
New Zealand Rugby (NZR) confirmed on Monday that the process to appoint Scott Robertson’s successor as the All Blacks’ new head coach has started.
The governing body revealed a crucial requirement for the position with all applicants having to have coached already in the international arena.
That was an aspect which was missing from Robertson’s CV when he took over the All Blacks coaching reins from Ian Foster after the 2023 Rugby World Cup campaign in France.
Robertson was fired from his position earlier this month just two years into his four-year contract following a fateful NZR review into the All Blacks’ 2025 season.
Panel to choose next All Blacks coach also confirmed
NZR chairman David Kirk, ex-All Blacks hooker and NZR board member Keven Mealamu, former NZR head of high performance Don Tricker, acting NZR chief executive Steve Lancaster and another former All Black who must still be named will make up the panel that chooses the next coach.
Kirk, Mealamu and Tricker participated in the review which led to Robertson’s dismissal while Kirk and Mealamu also interviewed current All Blacks who are said to have criticised Robertson’s coaching methods.
Robertson had no Test level coaching experience when he took charge of the All Blacks at the start of 2024 but he had great success as the head coach of the Crusaders where he won seven Super Rugby titles in as many years.
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Only New Zealanders can apply
A NZR press statement revealed that only New Zealanders can apply for the All Blacks head coaching role and the final decision will be made by the governing body’s board.
Lancaster described the All Blacks head coach’s position is “an incredibly important appointment.”
“We’ve started the process and are giving it the care and urgency it deserves to set the team up for success,” he said. “We’ll provide further updates as soon as we can.”
The requisite regarding coaches with international experience means someone like Highlanders and All Blacks XV head coach Jamie Joseph, who coached Japan from 2016 to 2023, will be amongst the favourites to be appointed.
Meanwhile, former Chiefs and Wallabies boss Dave Rennie and current Blues mentor Vern Cotter, who previously coached Scotland and Fiji, will also be strong candidates for the All Blacks position.
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