Cooper linked to Highlanders
Veteran Taranaki rugby coach Colin Cooper is the latest name to be linked with the Highlanders coaching job.
Less than a week after Hurricanes assistant John Plumtree turned down the chance to head to the defending Super Rugby champions once Jamie Joseph vacates to Japan, Cooper has possibly become the franchise’s next target.
Taranaki Rugby directed any questions about the subject not to Cooper but to its chief executive Michael Collins.
‘‘I’ve heard nothing officially via the Highlanders or via Colin,’’ Collins said.
‘‘I can understand the speculation because Colin would be a very attractive proposition for a number of Super Rugby franchises. I can definitely understand there would be some speculation around this.’’
Cooper, 57, has been at the helm of Taranaki’s national provincial side since he walked away from as Hurricanes head coach in 2010, a job he had held since 2003.
Since his return he has guided Taranaki to the NPC title in 2014 and won the Ranfurly Shield in 2011.
He was believed to have been in the throes of signing an extension to his Taranaki job as well as committing himself for at least another two years in charge of the Maori All Blacks.
However, the Highlanders job just may be piqued his interest in heading back to Super Rugby.
There has also been speculation that Rebels assistant coach Leo Crowley had met with Collins to discuss a possible move back to Taranaki next season but, again, Collins said there had been no formal meeting.
‘‘Leo was home a couple of weeks ago and came into the building and met with the [Taranaki] coaching group. We exchanged pleasantries, but that was the extent of the conversation.’’
Cooper’s possible interest comes after Highlanders assistant coach Tony Brown hinted before their match against the Sharks last Friday night that he might have changed his mind about stepping up to the top job.
‘‘It seems to be no-one wants to follow Jamie Joseph and take the Highlanders over. Who knows, I might get bullied into it,’’ Brown told Sky Sport’s buildup crew.
A shortlist is due to be presented to the Highlanders board on May 13, with Joseph’s successor expected to be named by June.