At the end of the 2019 World Cup, Steve Hansen hung up his clipboard and the role of coaching the All Blacks was up for grabs.
The New Zealand Rugby Union’s biggest mistake was essentially breaking their shortlist of potential picks down to two men only, when so many great options were available.
Let’s look at the ‘diamonds’ who were available.
David Rennie
Rennie won three consecutive Under 20 titles from 2008-2010, then joined the Chiefs in 2012 and won a title in his maiden year, along with a second in 2013.
He has now taken up the head coaching role with the Wallabies, a team he has already improved and beaten his home nation already.
In four games, Rennie has won one, drawn one, and lost two.
Dave Rennie (Andrew Phan/supplied by Rugby Australia)
Jamie Joseph
Joseph had a successful stint from 2010-12 as the New Zealand Maori coach and in 2015 led the Highlanders to their maiden Super Rugby title.
He created strong bonds with Japanese rugby and is now coaching their national team as the NZRU was not interested in him.
Joe Schmidt
Schmidt coached Ireland them to a trio of Six Nations titles from 2013-19 and two big victories over his compatriots the All Blacks.
Warren Gatland
As coach of Wales from 2007-19, he won the Six Nations title on four occasions, to go with three Grand Slams and a few successful Rugby World Cups.
Gatland also coached the British and Irish Lions tours to Australia in 2013 and New Zealand in 2017.
The NZRU gave him an early heads up he was not wanted, so he took up the coach’s role at the Chiefs.
Scott Robertson
Last but not least, we have the other man who was interviewed.
Robertson was coach of the New Zealand Under 20s from 2014-16, winning their World Cup in 2015.
He became Crusaders coach in 2017 and won the Super Rugby title three years in a row, as well as the COVID-caused ‘Aotearoa’ 2020 competition, meaning he has never lost the tournament since he’s been in charge.
Five diamonds gone by. Five of them!
The All Blacks had the world at their feet in terms of coaching, and they took on a rock in Ian Foster.
As coach of the Chiefs from 2004-11, Foster had a 50 per cent winning record and no titles, before becoming Hansen’s assistant coach from 2012-19.
Now, at the helm in 2020, his record from five games reads two wins, two losses and a draw.
It took Hansen three years to lose two games and Foster has done it in two weeks.
The NZRU chose to go with Hansen’s hand-picked choice of successor, even though Foster has no trophies to his name, instead of one of five coaches who have proven records.
My pick was Robertson, but I understand he is young, so I would have gone with Rennie as the All Blacks coach, with Robertson and Joseph as his assistants.
Rennie is a noted defensive coach. He would take charge of the defence.
Robertson has done wonders for the Crusaders’ backline, so he would control the backs.
In 2015, Joseph had the ‘no name’ pack of Nasi Manu and Elliott Dixon, playing like Jerome Kaino and Kieran Read. He controls the forwards.
Foster wouldn’t have been on the staff at all. His style of play is stale and outdated, while those three would have brought improvement.
Willie La'ulu
Roar Guru
It really is sad, once ego becomes a thing, I think it jeopardises everything!
Brian Westlake
Roar Rookie
I know its a different code, but its like the broncos walking around Brisbane thinking that they're the best on offer. A close mate who is a life member was treated rather shabbily more than once by some of these boys. Very sad.
Willie La'ulu
Roar Guru
Yes, and most of them come from my side (Auckland Blues). A lot of the Blues players seem to have this ego, that I don't know how, when they have performed so badly over the last few seasons. It is astounding to me, how such a poor club side, can be so egotistic.
Brian Westlake
Roar Rookie
But JD, at least this time when he approached, he can set the terms
Brian Westlake
Roar Rookie
Willie, do you think that the egos of some of the boys are a bit out of control too?
Brian Westlake
Roar Rookie
That was because he had to stay on his own player Sean Fitzpatrick
Tony Tuhoro
Guest
Useless Coach and panel of assistants all yes men . No idea ,yes to the prestige of being charge of the All Blacks and........yes they got wrong so wrong....
HRGreenwood
Guest
Totally agree, I said at the time of his appointment “we’re doomed”
fiwiboy7042
Roar Rookie
No Terry. He was poached from Auckland club rugby by Melb Storm NRL
fiwiboy7042
Roar Rookie
Joseph wasn't interested. Still commited to Japan.
Sean Mickleburgh
Guest
Uli Schmidt for the Springboks moons ago
Terry Tavita
Roar Pro
vunivalu was poached by nzr and is now a wallaby..
Olly
Roar Rookie
But these coaches were not available...
Simoc
Guest
It's the boys club at All Black HQ. Look after your mates. Stuff everyone else. The players are there. The management needs to be escorted out of the building and put into retirement homes. Just look at Foster. He looks like a loser. Why not Robertson!
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
I think the age and experience gap would make it work, a bit like Hansen and Henry. Grizz and Hart were bitter rivals, Foster and Razor aren’t. And what better way for a top up and coming coach to gain experience. BTW the idea of just appointing a coach rather than letting opponents get in first does have a lot of merit.
Old Bugger
Guest
Of course I know but, in your example, neither assistant was vying for the HC job when the incumbent, was given their respective HC position. At the time, Wyllie and Hart were considered HC coaches in their own right after leading Canterbury and Auckland respectively, in the NPC Championship leading into the '90s. Remember, there wasn't any pro-rugby at that time.
East Coast Aces
Roar Rookie
Heaps of teams used hookers out wide. Jeremy Paul and Brandon Cannon spent half their careers out wide by the chalk and that's now 20 years ago.
Old Bugger
Guest
It is Andy.....Hansen also received a 2yr contract with corresponding extensions, after each period. Perhaps NZR wanted each coach to work and provide results, for the next extension??
Old Bugger
Guest
The only thing those four coaches have in common is that they did what NZR told them to do.....they had to gain overseas HC coaching experience before they'd be considered, as an AB coach. Big effin deal that bs is......now, you may understand why coaches who went overseas, are showing a disinterest, in NZ rugby and, I don't blame them. Oh and btw, a certain Ted Henry was told the same thing.
CUW
Roar Rookie
@ Old Bugger u do know that John Mitchell is assistant to Eddie Jones - right ?? and Cheika is assistant to Ledesma !!!