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'Three-horse race': Leading contender ruled out as All Blacks coach
By Online Editors
The battle for the next All Blacks head coach is down to only three contenders, according to leading New Zealand rugby broadcaster Scotty Stevenson.
Stevenson has taken to Twitter claiming that the search for Steve Hansen's successor is "looking like a three horse race" between Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson, Japan's Jamie Joseph, and Hansen's assistant Ian Foster.
It had been widely accepted that former Chiefs coach Dave Rennie was also a strong favourite but it would seem he has now dropped out of the race to replace Hansen, who stepped down after the All Blacks' failed World Cup campaign in Japan, bowing out after seven years in the role.
Rennie has also been strongly linked to the Australian head coaching role vacated by Michael Cheika after the Wallabies' humiliating quarter-final exit.
According to Stevenson, NZR are expected to announce the new coach on December 12, though a NZR spokesperson denied they will unveil the coach on that date.
Last week, New Zealand Rugby chairman Brent Impey revealed that the organisation had invited applications from 26 Kiwi coaches.
John Mitchell, Warren Gatland and Aaron Mauger have already ruled themselves out of contention.
This article first appeared on nzherald.co.nz and was republished with permission.
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Jordie has a boot on him , he’s big and fast … he was made for full back . On the counter attack in the air he would of been a menace .
First game in Europe at 15 and he’s carving up 🤦♂️ …
They just didn’t have the nuts to bench Beauden . But he’s always been a superb super sub . Coming on when the opposition is tired , no one would be able to compete with him .
Go to commentsThey bend the rules for pre-existing All Blacks, provided you've signed for a NZ franchise the following year.
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