NZR places coaching on the agenda
Feverish interest in the process to appoint the next All Blacks coach overshadowed Dame Patsy Reddy’s unveiling as New Zealand Rugby’s first female chairman yesterday, with chief executive Mark Robinson giving the strongest indication yet the national body will break tradition to make a coaching decision before next year’s World Cup.
Reddy does not assume the chairman role — after serving seven months on the board — from Stewart Mitchell until February but the former GovernorGeneral was thrust straight into the furnace that is determining the All Blacks coaching team beyond next year.
“We had a good discussion with the board yesterday. I know the executive team are really on top of the issue,” Reddy said as she fronted media for the first time since her announcement as chairman.
“We’re comfortable with the process. We recognise this is a really important time for us with the Rugby World Cup ahead next year. We’re all very focused on supporting our team through that tournament but we’ve got to look to the future so, believe me, we’re on it.
“Nobody here wants me to be selecting the All Blacks coach just yet. I don’t underestimate the challenges of me coming into this role and I’m not going to try and jump ahead.”
New Zealand Rugby has, traditionally, waited until the World Cup juncture before opening up the All Blacks job but with Wales and England in the midst of head coaching changes, Robinson admitted the test rugby landscape is rapidly altering its perception of when appointments should be made.
“We are having a lot of discussions at the moment. We took the board through where we are at with that at this current time. We know there’s a lot going on in that market but we’re confident we’re having all the conversations we need to have at this time,” Robinson said.
New Zealand Rugby is endeavouring to speak with leading candidates in a bid to seek intentions and have the best pool of coaches contest the top job. That can only be achieved by making an appointment before September.