Steve Tew confirms that NZRU has approached potential candidates for All Blacks coaching role – Rugby News
The governing body of Rugby Union in New Zealand, New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU), has confirmed that they have initiated the process to recruit the new head coach of their national rugby union
team. New Zealand’s national Rugby Union team, commonly known as All Blacks, are the 2011 Rugby World Cup champions. Former All Blacks international Graham Henry was in charge of the All Blacks successful campaign but his three-year tenure will expire in
a few weeks time.
Officials have confirmed to the All Blacks official website that NZRU has shortlisted 20 potential candidates for the job. They further confirmed that the union has sent letters to reach out
to these potential candidates for the All Blacks head coach role.
To qualify for the All Blacks head coach role, NZRU’s bare minimum requirements include that the person must have spent his last year coaching a senior team in New Zealand in either Super Rugby
or ITM Cup competitions. Alternately, the person with over five years of coaching experience must have at least three years of experience of working in a coaching role in New Zealand’s senior teams.
On the other hand, NZRU’s Chief Executive Officer, Stew Tew has confirmed that no foreign coach has been approached for the All Blacks job. Earlier, different media segments has hinted as the
Wales national Rugby Union team’s head coach, Warren Gatland and Australian National Rugby Union team’s head coach, Robbie Deans as the possible replacement of the Graham Henry.
Tew made these comments while talking to Radio New Zealand. He added that the Gatland is contract with the Welsh Rugby Union until 2015 and he is likely to see his contract through its completion.
Commenting on Deans, Tew said that Deans is currently in contract with the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) until the end of 2013 British and Irish Lions tour. He added that although his long-term
future with Wallabies is not confirmed as ARU’s current boss, John O’ Neill will not be around until 2013.
Tew has expressed his confidence that NZRU will be able to find the right candidate to assume coaching duties of the world champions, without compensating the other unions. Following the sidelining
of both Gatland and Deans it’s expected that Henry’s assistant Steve Hansen will step up to assume the coaching duties.
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