Rickards has the inside running
It will be the hardest act to follow since JJ Stewart moved on from coaching the Taranaki team in the 1960s and Leo Walsh in the 1970s - who is going to replace Colin Cooper, the man who has revived the fortunes of the famous amber and blacks?
Taranaki were in a unique situation when Cooper walked back in to the role in his home province, being a successful Super Rugby coach with the Hurricanes and Crusaders and holding the prestigious position of coach of New Zealand.
His experience and status provided the credibility on which to build a team through the recruitment of many quality players.
It is most unlikely that any newcomer will have the same clout, but there will be the opportunity to build on what has been established.
The one lesson previously learned with the appointment of Adrian Kennedy prior to Cooper is that Taranaki perform best under their ‘own’, so it is unlikely that the union will go for a new face.
The front runner will be assistant coach Willie Rickards.
A former Southland, Taranaki and Highlander, and a member of the New Zealand Sevens team over four seasons, Rickards has already tasted success with Southern in the club competition, Taranaki Sevens, Taranaki in the ITM Cup and is currently the assistant coach for the New Zealand Under 19 World Cup squad.
Well versed in the processes under Cooper, there is little to suggest he won’t be the favourite in the offices at Yarrow Stadium.
Hard at his heals is Tasman’s current assistant coach with one of the most outstanding Taranaki rugby names, Leo Crowley.
The Crowley name is synonymous with the game in the province and with Leo cutting his teeth producing a champion ElthamKaponga side and then taking the competition by storm with his Taranaki ‘B’ team, he was promoted to work under Cooper which produced a very successful stint and a provincial championship.
Seeking further experience, Crowley was appointed to the coaching staff of the Canadian World Cup squad in 2015 and then as the assistant at the Melbourne Rebels in Super Rugby.
The one thing he would have learned at the Rebels is that not all is easy in the world of rugby, a handy experience in anyone’s toolbox, and he now finds himself lining up against Taranaki in the semifinal on Saturday.
Crowley is a smart operator with an astute rugby brain. Most of all though he has that amber and black blood in the veins.
Another on an upward spiral is Tim Stuck, coach of the champion Tukapa team over the past two seasons, Taranaki Under 19 coach and previously the successful coach of the Francis Douglas Memorial College first XV.
Under his watch, Francis Douglas won the Central North Island competition, the only time it has done so, and he has produced a whole host of high quality rugby players such as Tai Walden, Ricky Riccitelli, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Chris Gawler and the Barrett boys.
He understands the players, knows how to get the best from them, and has a rugby brain that would ensure Taranaki stay ahead of the pack.
Assuming Neil Barnes is staying at the Chiefs then the above three should soon be sitting in front of chairman Lindsay Thomson and shortly.
The fan base shouldn’t be expecting any surprises.