1
Wayne Smith's warning to New Zealand Rugby about next All Blacks coach
By Online Editors
Former All Blacks assistant coach Wayne Smith has sent a warning to New Zealand Rugby (NZR) as the race to replace Steve Hansen gets underway.
NZR launched its process to find Hansen's replacement as All Blacks head coach last week, by inviting applications from a group of coaches familiar with New Zealand's professional rugby environment.
NZR announced that it invited 26 Kiwi coaches to apply for the vacant role, with chairman Brent Impey confirming that shortlisting, interviews and negotiations would be conducted through November and early December, with a head coach to be announced prior to the Christmas break.
Continue reading below...
This could see some of New Zealand's Super Rugby franchises stripped of their coaches just a month out from the 2020 season kick-off - something Smith is wary could be a problem.
"One of the issues facing New Zealand Rugby (NZR) will be not to destroy Super Rugby by all the coaches going to the All Blacks environment," he told Stuff.
Smith, who spent 15 years over three stints in a coaching capacity with the All Blacks, said he couldn't recall the top job being so hotly contested, but said it should be an area of careful consideration for NZR.
"I can't remember another time when it's been so competitive. If you look at 2007, it was Robbie [Deans] versus us [Sir Graham Henry, Hansen, Smith]. That was competitive, but this is a different level," Smith told Stuff.
"Here, we've got three or four top coaches with great credentials, all with their own ways of doing things, putting impressive teams together and all having a crack at the top job. It's great. It's going to be bigger than Coronation Street.
"It will depend on who they get in their teams, how are they going to address some of the challenges around creating new structures and a bit of freshness."
Front-runners for the job include current All Blacks assistant coach Ian Foster and Crusaders coach Scott Robertson – both who have confirmed they would submit their case to NZR to replace Hansen.
Japan head coach Jamie Joseph is also considered a favourite, should he decide to apply.
"For some of these guys, it's a win-win. It's not a win-lose," Smith said.
"If Razor [Robertson] doesn't get the All Blacks, it's still a win. He's probably wanted all around the world, but he's actually got a job at the Crusaders and he's got a chance to win a four-peat, which has never been done.
"Jamie Joseph is the same. If he gets the job, it's a win. If he doesn't, he's wanted in Japan again."
This article first appeared on nzherald.co.nz and was republished with permission.
In other news:
Trending on RugbyPass
2
Wallaroos captain reflects on Black Ferns’ success with sevens stars
3
Springboks flyhalf's latest injury worry
4
Initial Immanuel Feyi-Waboso injury update does not sound promising
5
Latest Comments
I think it was a better rugby destination for him.
He was developed in Melbourne and had a relatively brief stint there. I think he was possibly dropped out of the squad for the return of someone like To'omua (also a Melbourne local) in 2019 ahead of the RWC. But then he wasn't picked up by another Australian team and went to play in Japan when he only really seemed to play a hat full of top level games (maybe injured for long periods??) before he went on to Scotland. But it was only in Scotland that he started to get a lot of consistent game time and selection.
The thing is, no one talked about him being a missed opportunity in Australia before he left - a little like Mac Hansen. But he has been able to forge a top level career since leaving. Both men only had a handful (5 or 6?) games at Super Rugby level before they made a decision to leave (or had it made for them I suppose). Other countries have gone on to develop them and that is great for them and it is probably good for the global game as it means the best players are rising to the top - if not in their birth country than in another. I think there are a lot of issues with poor player development in Australia but I don't know if these two blokes are very good examples of it.
Go to commentsOk I understand. Give them my number please Nick.
Go to comments