Cotter, Schmidt stay in Europe
TWO heavyweight contenders to replace Dave Rennie as Chiefs head coach are both expected to take themselves out of the running, and in doing so strengthen the prospect of Ian Foster eventually taking over the All Blacks.
All indications are that Joe Schmidt, the Chiefs’ preferred candidate, will soon confirm he intends to stay on and lead Ireland to the next World Cup in 2019. This not only means the Chiefs have to find an alternative for the 2018 season, but also serves as a disappointment for New Zealand Rugby who were keen to work alongside a Super Rugby team and bring the highly respected mentor home.
The Sunday News also understands Vern Cotter has signed with a French club – although it is not believed to be Toulon.
The Chiefs were interested in Cotter but he is now expected to move for a second stint in France after finishing up with Scotland next year.
The intentions of both Schmidt and Cotter to remain in the lucrative European market has wider implications than just for the Chiefs. A return to New Zealand would have put Schmidt, in particular, in a strong position to push for elevation to the All Blacks, either as assistant or head coach.
But with Schmidt and Cotter opting to continue in avenues outside New Zealand – having possibly seen the writing on the wall in regards to the All Blacks’ top job – Foster’s chances of succeeding Steve Hansen after the next World Cup will only increase.
The decisions of Schmidt and Cotter emphasise the challenge of retaining and luring back talent is not confined only to players for NZ Rugby.
A replacement for Rennie at the Chiefs will, meanwhile, be appointed by the end of November.
‘‘It’s a very open process from here and we hope to have it completed by the time our squad reassembles for the next campaign,’’ Chiefs chief executive Andrew Flexman said. ‘‘We’re INPHO hoping to have our full coaching group in place by then. One of the key criteria to be eligible for a Super Rugby head coach is that you are a New Zealander so unless NZ Rugby are prepared to provide some sort of exemption to that regulation, which is pretty unusual, you can take it as read that it will be a Kiwi candidate.’’
Flexman confirmed Kieran Keane, who guided Tasman to the top-tier provincial final before joining forces with Rennie at the Chiefs this year, and New Zealand Maori coach Colin Cooper were two local contenders.
‘‘Kieran is definitely a strong internal candidate. As an incumbent there’s some level of advantage and benefit in that. Colin Cooper is a vastly experienced guy at Super and provincial level and he’s coaching within our catchment with the Taranaki connection.
‘‘There’s a few others – potentially a pool of four to six that could
‘ Kieran [Keane] is definitely a strong internal candidate.’ ANDREW FLEXMAN, CHIEFS CEO
be options.’’
Former Chiefs assistant coach Tom Coventry is back home and has expressed interest in rejoining the franchise after enduring a difficult time as head coach of London Irish. ‘‘He’s a guy that’s part of the mix.’’
Other contenders are understood to be currently under contract, complicating the negotiation process.
‘‘We’re working through a long list of potential candidates gauging their interest. Within that list we think there’s some compelling candidates,’’ Flexman said.