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Team Foster vs Team Robertson: The coaching teams which could decide the next All Blacks boss

By Online Editors
Ian Foster and Scott Robertson. (Photos / Getty Images)

By Liam Napier, NZ Herald

As contenders for the All Blacks head coaching job dwindle by the day, attention will soon turn to not just those who remain, but their scramble to assemble compelling running teams.

Over the next three weeks Ian Foster and Scott Robertson are expected to engage in a head-to-head battle to replace Steve Hansen.

Before embarking on their respective interviews, the behind-the-scenes chess game of pulling together coaching teams is well underway.

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New Zealand Rugby made it clear the decision to appoint the next All Blacks head coach will be swayed by the collection of assistant coaches as much as it will the new lead man.

With Jamie Joseph, Tony Brown, Dave Rennie and Warren Gatland all now committed elsewhere, this is where permutations get interesting.

Hurricanes coach John Plumtree is believed to have emerged as one key target.

From Wales to Ireland, South Africa, Japan and Wellington, Plumtree is a vastly experienced mentor who has enjoyed success in both head coaching and assistant capacities.

Alongside Chris Boyd he led the Hurricanes to their maiden title in 2016 as defence coach. Under Plumtree's guidance, that season the Hurricanes did not concede a try in three successive playoff matches.

The 54-year-old former Taranaki loose forward/lock is a tough task master who also held the forwards coaching brief previously – notably under Joe Schmidt with Ireland from 2013-14.

Sources have indicated to the Herald that Foster may try uniting Plumtree and Schmidt to join Scott McLeod on his ticket.

While Ireland failed to progress beyond the quarterfinals of two World Cups under Schmidt, they did rise to be recognised as the world's best team last year and the Kiwi mentor remains widely respected for his tactical knowledge of the game.

Despite his next move being the subject of constant speculation, Schmidt is notoriously guarded with his intentions.

At this point he has only said he intends to remain in Ireland to take a break from the game until June – a timeframe that would, potentially, leave him free to join the All Blacks coaching ranks for their next test series in July.

Nothing is set in stone, and cards remain close to chests, but the fact Plumtree and Schmidt have worked together previously would give symmetry to Foster's potential coaching team.

Former All Blacks prop Greg Feek, who worked as Ireland scrum coach for five years, is another potential recruit.



"I received a letter inviting me to apply for the role but I pretty much replied straight away and respectfully declined because I'm in a dream job," Lam said.

"I'm very happy with what I'm doing here. I couldn't be in a better place at the moment as I continue to grow as a coach.

"There's obviously clear candidates. Fozzie is there as front-runner and my good mate Razor has done a fantastic job.

"There's a lot of good New Zealand coaches everywhere. The process doesn't look too different to ones I knew about when I was down there. You can't complain about that and at the end of the day they'll get the right man for the job."

This article first appeared on nzherald.co.nz and was republished with permission.

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