Wynne Gray: Joe Schmidt will not coach the All Blacks – so who's next?

A wave of opinion about the next coach of the All Blacks will cross the country before Christmas.

While the team has stepped down as a player, Steve Hansen will announce his plans beyond next year's World Cup, which will reignite an intense debate on the direction of the national sport. .

Like the release of Irish coach Joe Schmidt, there could be several twists with a concept that is gaining ground, Hansen now assuming a new role as director of New Zealand rugby, where he could supervise his successor.

According to Steve Tew-Hansen's preferred continuity model, Ian Foster would be elevated to the position of head coach, but he could choose to combine his coaching interests and, like Hansen and Wayne Smith, expand his experience with a change. of lifestyle for his family in Europe. .

The decisions and opinions of both men will have fluctuated as much as their thoughts have changed about the All Blacks.

Hansen thought it was better for the team as the coach changed position in the middle of a World Cup cycle, but when that time came he changed course and is committed to the tournament next year in Japan.

They thought Damian McKenzie was a five-eighth and wanted to play for the Chiefs, but on the last tour in Europe he was the favorite back of the Wallabies, England, Ireland and Italy.

Rugby works best with limits, but the canvas must be fluid if the teams want to improve.
One thing we can be certain about, no matter how hard some people try to manipulate his words – Schmidt will not coach the All Blacks.

He's a rare man of principle who struggles with his obligations as a rugby coach and family man, including the special needs of his epileptic son. Ireland has named Andy Farrell his successor after the 2019 World Cup and Schmidt will be moving away from rugby to consider his family's next move.

Lions and Wales coach Warren Gatland will return to New Zealand after the tournament and want to continue coaching, but like another expat Dave Rennie will have to overcome some of the NZR's obstacles.

The success of Canterbury, Crusaders and All Blacks has strengthened the power base of CEO Tew and Hansen, whose ideas generally find their way to success at the board level. They will have spoken at length about the situation of national coaches beyond the next World Cup and how to refresh this landscape.

Whether Hansen wants to continue in a new role or empty his office, Foster will be aware of this information and will have evaluated his plans, but Gatland, Rennie, Vern Cotter, Robbie Deans, Chris Boyd, Jamie Joseph and others 39; expect. announcement to help them prepare for their next move.