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New Zealand Rugby Team Watch

Dismal Pillock

Michael Lynagh (62)
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waiopehu oldboy

George Smith (75)
Shag is staying on until after the Lions tour in 2017, as is Foster (Smith hasn't yet committed AFAIK but will presumably be involved in some capacity or other, even if only in a specialist/ consultant-type role (similar to Cron, who has also signed on for two more years)).

The downside of having eight years of Ted then six of Shag is that there's no obvious succession plan, but I strongly suspect that the next AB coach is currently coaching Super Rugby. At this point my money's on Rennie but if Umaga can light an overdue fire under the Blues he will come into contention. Fully expecting Jamie Joseph to be at least forwards if not assistant coach.
 

waiopehu oldboy

George Smith (75)
^^^^^^^ not knocking Joe & Vern but I just can't see them coming into the AB setup cold, they'd have to have at least a season with a Super Rugby or sub-AB NZRU side (Maori AB, U20's, or Junior AB if they're resurrected) prior. Still reckon Rennie is in the box seat with Joseph & possibly Umaga as Assistants.
 

zer0

John Thornett (49)
The Cotter-Schmidt team has been brewing since 2011. Back then, the NZRU magicked up the "must have test experience" rule to invalidate Cotter. A few months later, both Cotter and Schmidt had signed on to coach Scotland and Ireland, respectively. Could be a coincidence, but I don't see it as such.

Come 2017 the NZRU could be under some serious pressure to keep up the AB incest by selecting Foster over Cotter-Schmidt. Particularly if Cotter-Schmidt leads the Lions to their second ever series win in NZ -- which is a distinct possibility.

^^^^^^^ not knocking Joe & Vern but I just can't see them coming into the AB setup cold, they'd have to have at least a season with a Super Rugby or sub-AB NZRU side (Maori AB, U20's, or Junior AB if they're resurrected) prior. Still reckon Rennie is in the box seat with Joseph & possibly Umaga as Assistants.


From what I understand, the "Henry clause" is no longer enforced. It certainly wasn't brought up when Cotter applied in 2011. Furthermore, Rennie has indicated he want's to gain coaching experience overseas before moving on to test level.

Wayne Smith or Ian Foster are the successors to Hansen.


Wayne Smith is happy being an assistant. Don't see that changing any tim soon, if at all. And Foster? Well, just look at his Chiefs record. Actually, look at his Chiefs record in comparison to Rennie's. It's pretty damming. Though the NZRU does have a weird fetish for him, so it's a grim possibility. Albeit one I'd rather not think about.
 

waiopehu oldboy

George Smith (75)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ is Gatland no longer odds-on to coach B&IL in 2017?

On Rennie, I've read his comments about wanting to beef up his CV before trying for the AB job but I'm sure that if, say, Steve Tew were to quietly say "hey, Dave, you up for Shag's gig when he finishes?" that might change. And if Ian Foster gets the job it'll be the worst appointment since Mitchell & least-successful since God knows.
 

Highlander35

Steve Williams (59)
The split is still 60-40 Gatland's way IMO, but momentum has been slowly but surely building. Ireland have been stronger (in general) than Wales, particularly against Southern Opposition, WC Quarter finals notwithstanding, since even before 2013 Lions tour. Both Schmidt and Cotter have contracts running till May 2017, with the Irish media suggesting that Schmidt would not be allowed to re-sign and coach the Lions. They've worked together well beforehand, and remain good friends. Two Six Nations campaigns and a couple of tour windows remain to convince the BILs board that they would be the best choice.

Toonie's basically been heir apparent to the Scotland job since mid 2014, if not before that. He was in rather heavy demand from a few European teams, but has instead chosen to sign on an extra season on less money, with the conditions of the Pro12, low pay, bleeding players to the big leagues, and the all round general incompetency of the Italians, the Dragons and at least 1 other rotating Welsh team. I can't help but feel that can only be due to the SRU lining him up, but if Vern gets us playing well, I can't see the SRU letting him go unless he has someplace better to be.
 

USARugger

John Thornett (49)
Didn't Smith say something to the effect that he's not really actively interested in the HC position anymore?
 

waiopehu oldboy

George Smith (75)
NZ Rugby Awards:

Age Grade POTY: Akira Ioane

Ref of the Year: Glen Jackson

Women's 7's POTY: Tyla Nathan-Long

Men's 7's POTY: Scott Curry

NPC POTY: George Moala

Super Rugby POTY: Lima Sopoaga

Maori POTY: Nehe Milner-Skudder

Coach of the Year: Shag (obviously)

Team of the Year: All Blacks ('nua denied again but our time is coming :))

Player of the Year: Ma'a Nonu, hard to disagree IMO.

Full list here:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/...r-of-year-as-all-blacks-sweep-nz-rugby-awards
 

Dan54

David Wilson (68)
Apart from the obvious snub of the mighty Nua :mad: , not a lot to be argued with there WOB. Pleased to see Nonu pick up player of the year award.
 

2bluesfan

Nev Cottrell (35)
With reference to the mighty Nua - I had the pleasure of driving through the Nua the other day on my way from Wellington to New Plymouth and I was quite impressed by some of the scenery. I will have to go back and take a longer look but this probably won't be until February at the earliest.
 

zer0

John Thornett (49)
Smith and Byrne will not be returning to the All Blacks coaching team next year.

Renowned All Blacks skills coach Mick Byrne is leaving the World Cup winners to return home to Brisbane.

After 11 years with the All Blacks, Byrne is moving back to Australia to be closer to family and has been appointed the national director of sport at Sports Tech Academies.

His departure is one of two changes to the All Blacks management group for next year, with Wayne Smith being open about his desire for a break after 29 years in the game.

The remainder of Steve Hansen's coaching team have recommitted and, after the World Cup success, planning is well underway to ensure feet come back on the ground for next season.

Byrne joined the All Blacks in May, 2005, and has savoured every minute since. For the past two months, he weighed up the move home. The All Blacks are aware and supportive of his decision, thankful for his valuable service.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/...two-changes-to-all-blacks-management-for-2016
 

Hugh Jarse

Rocky Elsom (76)
^^^Is there much kudos (and $) associated with being signed with an ITM Cup team?
The crowds I see on the Foxtel ITM cup games suggests that if they had to rely in gate money to fund the ITM cup, they would be playing in rags.
 

waiopehu oldboy

George Smith (75)
^^^^^^ more kudos than $ due to the salary cap (~25% of a Province's total revenues & with minimum & maximum wages) but it's a case of you'd rather have him playing for you than against you. Also having high-profile guys in your team helps on the sponsorship & PR fronts.

And yes, ITM Cup doesn't draw big crowds but pretty much everyone at least breaks even, collective profit of ~2Mn last year IIRC.
 
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