NZ Rugby’s candidates for ABs coach all NZers
THE next All Black coach will not be a foreigner.
New Zealand Rugby (NZR) chairman
Brent Impey said all 26 contenders to succeed Steve Hansen are well acquainted with New Zealand rugby and no foreign coaches had been considered for the role.
The success of Kiwi coaches with other countries proved New Zealand produced coaches fit for the job, Impey said.
‘‘If you look at what we’ve seen with the World Cup, many of those best coaches come from [New Zealand],’’ Impey said.
‘‘This is a luxury to have the depth we have in this country.’’
NZR has approached New Zeland coaches with international teams, Super Rugby sides and European club teams to consider interviewing for the job.
‘‘We believe we have covered the field in terms of those coaches who would have the skillset to do the job,’’ Impey said.
‘‘This is high performance — you’ve got to get the best, the very very best. Our standards are very high — we believe our team has got to be the best it possibly can.’’
All candidates needed to name their assistant coaches, and Impey said emphasis would be placed on the coaching team each applicant assembled.
The appointment panel includes incoming NZR chief executive Mark Robinson, NZR head of high performance Mike Anthony, former All Blacks head coach and NZR life member Sir Graham Henry and former Silver Ferns coach and High Performance Sport New Zealand director Waimarama Taumaunu.
‘‘We believe we have an excellent group of people on the panel, balancing the experience of winning [with] high performance teams and leadership with external perspective and experience.’’
Impey said input from around 12 players would also be considered when making the appointment.
NZR aimed to name the next coach by Christmas. — RNZ