Warren Gatland’s third Six Nations Grand Slam with Wales at the weekend only served to fuel speculation about his future after the World Cup with the New Zealander now boasting a coaching CV that makes him a serious contender for the All Blacks job.
Wales beat Ireland 25-7 on Saturday to clinch their fourth Six Nations title under the former All Blacks hooker, which positioned them as one of the favourites for the global showpiece in Japan later this year.
The 55-year-old has already said he would return home after the tournament and with All Blacks coach Steve Hansen also stepping down, contenders are lining up to replace him.
Gatland’s name has constantly been mentioned, along with Hansen’s current assistant Ian Foster and the Crusaders’ Scott Robertson, as one of the most likely contenders to replace Hansen.
Joe Schmidt, who is also stepping down after the World Cup, had also been in the mix after he led Ireland to three Six Nations titles, their first two victories over New Zealand and a world ranking of No.2.
Schmidt, however, has said he would take time off in 2020 to spend time with family and Ireland’s spluttering form in this year’s Six Nations — they finished third and were well beaten by England and Wales — might have taken the shine off his CV anyway.
Gatland has also, probably diplomatically, already said immediately replacing Hansen might not be on the cards when he returns home, having spent 20 of the last 23 years in Europe.
“I want to be involved at some level in New Zealand rugby … ideally in Super Rugby to reintegrate back into New Zealand,” he told The 1014 Rugby Show in January.
“Then if you’re successful other opportunities might come up.
“I also understand that … there might not be any coaching jobs in New Zealand. So it might be coming back and just taking some time off before another job comes up somewhere else.”
British media have suggested he was in contention for the England job, with Eddie Jones expected to also leave after the World Cup.
Jacko
Guest
Pinetree its not Smith who was the Backs coach. Forter has been the backs coach for years and Smith was the defensive coach when he was with the ABs. And yet for some strange reason the attack seems to go better than without Smith around. I like the idea of Razor coming in as he seems to be able to get the best out of this current generation of younger guys coming thru and the others have been around a long time so I cant see as much innovation coming from them.
taylorman
Roar Guru
In fairness to Gats, and Schmidt, theyve had to work with what they have and win. Gats found several times with the Lions how to do that and picked up at least two 6Ns that I know of where they werent faves, ironically both after the ABs lost to England and now Ireland. Henry had worse results and after Wales became our greatest coach, the difference between the two was Henry was a top shelf coach here with every trophy multiple times before he left, where Gats has his time from the NH. No reason he couldnt adapt and pick whats in front of him and the risk would be less in terms of campaigns. But other than that, tend to agree, he looks set in his ways. Just dont think we need that now. Its ideas and energy that will kick this side on, not security and consistency.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Agree with both Tman and Pinetree. Razor to get the nod (I’m admittedly biased though), I think we need to potentially keep Foster or some other form of continuity though, one strength of the ABs is their consistency and I think this is born from continuity in the coaching and background structure behind the scenes. The All Blacks have to remain the All Blacks.
Pinetree
Roar Rookie
Yeah, I have to agree Tman. Gatland also looks like a "my way or the highway" type of coach, like E Jones or Cheika, which I don't think bodes well for the 'coaching team' style pioneered by Henry, and continued with Hansen. Schmidt has not proven he can adapt and be innovative to move the game forward when needed, and Gatland and Schmidt should have been already coaching in NZ SR if they wanted the gig. Foster is part of the reason that the ABs have gone stale IMO over the last couple of years, with the absence of Wayne Smith to innovate the back line moves, so not keen on Foster either. Razor has been coaching in NZ, has shown innovation with his team both in the forwards and backs, and seems to have a great relationship with the players. I would trust Razor the select other support coaches well too, which I am not sure Gatland will be so open to, and feel Gatland is more likely to pick support coaches that would not disagree with him too much.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
On the other hand can really only go up following Cheika.
taylorman
Roar Guru
He has but a few options for oz might have opened up as well but geez thats going to need to be the right person,?willing to risk their career taking the ABs on three times a year. Make or break right there.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Time for new energy and ideas. Razor represents the era that played professionally and until now we have had players and coaches from the 80s and 90s. World rugby is currently devoid of ideas. The ABs are struggling to find innovtion, new directions, SA and Oz have gone backwards, and the north are piling on the boring up front, heavy defensive, kicking dogma they always have but now are getting excited about it from their number two and three rankings. Keep saying it but mediocrity is ruling in international rugby now. Razor represents a new direction and NZ would be mad to pass him over for lack of experience alone. Can we really sit through waiting for Gatland selected sides for several years?
Kane
Roar Guru
The NZ media is largely owned by Australia is it not? Might want to stick it to them instead. If the All Blacks coach is his dream job is he really petty enough to pass on an opportunity based on media treatment?
Smiggle Jiggle
Roar Guru
If NZ wins the WC, then it will be Fosters, if they lose, then I hope it goes to Razor. He brings the x-factor out of all his players. The Crusaders are winning without Whitelock and Read.
Joseph
Guest
Please... NOT Gatland.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
He’s certainly timed his run well!
TimO
Roar Rookie
Garland was not treated well by the NZ media during the Lions tour, and he clearly resented it (fair enough). I imagine he’s still a bit bent out of shape about it, and might not really want to coach ABs. He might prefer to coach Wallabies, and see if he can stick it to NZ rugby.