McLeod gets seal of approval to help defend ABs’ record

When Scott McLeod finished his short career as an All Back midfielder in 1998, he always felt he wasn’t done with that famous black jersey. Now he gets the chance to scratch that itch.

To no one’s surprise at all, McLeod was unveiled as the All Blacks’ new defence coach in Auckland yesterday morning, appointed to succeed the outgoing Wayne Smith through, initially at least, to the 2019 World Cup in Japan.

This, in all likelihood, is an appointment that will stretch far beyond that.

McLeod, who played 10 tests and 17 games for the All Blacks in a career spanning 1996-98, will finish the Super Rugby season in his equivalent role with the Highlanders, and assume the job fulltime for the end-of-year tour. He will also join the world champions for the Rugby Championship in an observation capacity, which coach Steve Hansen likened to the player apprenticeship role.

McLeod revealed he found out he had won the All Blacks job on the Friday before he took over from absent head coach Tony Brown to guide the Highlanders to their epic upset of the British and Irish Lions at Dunedin’s Forsyth Barr Stadium last Tuesday.

Somehow he bottled his simmering excitement, refocused on the task at hand and produced a coaching masterpiece to inspire a magnificent upset from a Highlanders outfit missing a raft of regular frontliners either out with injury or on duty with the All Blacks and New Zealand Maori.

It was exhibit A in why Hansen described the quietly spoken Waikato native as ‘‘the obvious candidate’’ for the rare All Blacks coaching vacancy.

He told Fairfax Media at the team hotel yesterday morning that there was a distinct similarity to the emotions he experienced when he first became an All Black under John Hart in 1996.

‘‘Putting this on for the first time, it really hit home,’’ he said, pointing to the All Blacks-issue polo shirt he was wearing.

‘‘That was very similar to ‘96 and being selected. Having a taste way back then as player, I left that

I want to come in and do my own fantastic job.

environment feeling I wanted more and with a deep appreciation and excitement around the All Blacks.’’

McLeod demonstrated palpably that his personality will fit splendidly into the All Blacks’ ethos when he made it clear he didn’t see himself filling the boots of the legendary Wayne Smith.

‘‘He’s a master coach,’’ McLeod said. ‘‘He’s done a hell of a lot for this team’s performance, environment and culture. I’m sure he’s going to leave a massive hole. I’m not trying to fill his shoes. I want to come in and do my own fantastic job.’’

It was that sort of attitude, Hansen said, that saw McLeod ace his interview for the job.

‘‘That was massively important,’’ Hansen said. ‘‘You’ve got to come in and be your own person and do it the way you want to do it. All the structures Smithy has set up, he’s familiar with because they talk on the phone a lot.

‘‘But he clearly displayed in the interview he’s got his own ideas, and we’re looking forward to gradually bringing him in.

‘‘The opportunity to spend some time in the Rugby Championship will be massive because the All Blacks is an overwhelming place. He’s been there as a player, so he’s got some idea, then he goes on the end-of-year tour and takes over in his own right. He’ll be flying by then.’’

McLeod name-checked a number of coaching influences throughout his career but topping them all is Jamie Joseph whose philosophies had really impressed him when Joseph gathered McLeod, Jon Preston and Tony Brown to launch a major turnaround at the floundering Highlanders. Within a few short years they were Super Rugby champions.

‘‘I could go on for a wee while about [what I’ve learnt from Jamie],’’ McLeod said. ‘‘To be really clear and simple and demand the intensity from those clear, simple plans, and defence fits right up that alley.’’

Scott McLeod, at right