Gatland ruled out as next All Blacks boss
WELLINGTON: Wales coach Warren Gatland has been ruled out as the next All Blacks coach, even though he has not publicly declared an interest in replacing Steve Hansen.
Gatland and Hansen finish their terms as coaches of Wales and New Zealand after the two semi-final losers battle for the World Cup bronze medal in Tokyo on Friday.
Although Gatland, a New Zealander, has an impressive record as the coach of Wales, he is scheduled to coach the British and Irish Lions on their 2021 tour of South Africa.
“It’s impossible to coach the All Blacks and the Lions in a four-year period,” New Zealand Rugby chief executive Steve Tew told Radio Sport yesterday.
“They did not know if he is going to apply, or what he has written into his current contracts.”
Gatland has been confirmed to take over the Waikato Chiefs Super Rugby side next year and will take a sabbatical the following year to handle the Lions.
Tew said a four-person panel would be appointed after the World Cup to interview candidates to replace Hansen but the New Zealand Rugby board would have the final say.
Current All Blacks assistant coach Ian Foster, Canterbury Crusaders coach Scott Robertson and Japan coach Jamie Joseph are considered the frontrunners for the position.
Meanwhile, New Zealand’s loss to England in the semi-finals has resulted in the All Blacks dropping to third in the international rankings, their lowest spot in 16 years.
England have grabbed the No.1 ranking after their 19-7 win in Yokohama on Saturday.
South Africa moved into second spot after beating Wales in the other semifinal match.
England and South Africa will return to Yokohama for the World Cup final on Saturday.
New Zealand were last ranked third after their semi-final loss to Australia at the 2003 World Cup.
They could move up to second if they beat Wales in the bronze medal play-off on Friday at Tokyo Stadium.
Wales dropped from third to fourth on the list.