Jamie Joseph heads list of contenders for All Blacks coach
Friday, 16 January 2026
ANALYSIS: Appointing Scott Robertson as All Blacks coach appeared to be the obvious move.
Fans had been unhappy with Ian Foster’s elevation to the job, and discontent remained throughout his stint in charge.
But when Super Rugby’s can’t-lose coach did indeed lose key games in charge of the national side, what seemed obvious became fatally flawed.
So anointing Robertson’s successor on the run following his rapid demotion on Thursday is not as easy as some suggest - particularly if, as is expected, the contract will be focused towards the 2027 World Cup.
Jamie Joseph is the clear favourite, but even his potential promotion isn’t without its problems.
The former Wellington, Māori All Blacks and Japan coach is well-regarded, with vast experience at all levels, but taking over the national team job would be a major blow to his Highlanders outfit less than a month out from the start of the 2026 Super Rugby season.
Ideally, Joseph would bring former long-time assistant Tony Brown with him.
The former Highlanders playmaker has also earned a stellar reputation, bolstering the Springboks’ attack since their 2023 World Cup win as an assistant to Rassie Erasmus.
It’s understood Erasmus may have Brown contracted through to not just the next World Cup, but the 2031 edition as well.
Brown has already twice turned down approaches from New Zealand Rugby for roles with the national team - when Foster was elected as Sir Steve Hansen’s successor in 2020, and when the switch to Robertson occurred.
“When I got asked to coach the All Blacks five years ago, for me, it just didn’t feel right,” Brown said.
“I obviously had a really good relationship with Jamie Joseph, and if he had got the All Blacks coaching job, then 100 per cent I would have been in with him.
“It just didn’t feel right for me to coach with the other guys going for that job, so Jamie and I went back to Japan to coach Japan.”
“One day, maybe I might coach the All Blacks – I don’t know. I just want to be part of this coaching set-up and the Springboks over the next four years.”
It might take all of Joseph’s gruff charm to twist his friend’s arm, and if he can’t do so, would he want to shoulder the biggest job of all without him?
Dave Rennie has been floated as a possible assistant to Joseph, or as a head coach option.
The former Chiefs mentor had an up-and-down run with the Wallabies, but was clearly a better coaching option than Eddie Jones to all but three blind mice at Rugby Australia. Rennie is currently coaching up a storm in Japan with the Kobe Steelers, racking up three wins over Hansen and Foster’s rival team.
Joe Schmidt has the best resume of all - but there’s the major matter of his interest and availability.
The 60-year-old went from Bay of Plenty, the Blues, Clermont Auvergne and Leinster to head coach from Ireland, where he won three Six Nations titles, guided the country to its first win over the All Blacks and took the team to the top of the world rankings.
He had a stint with Foster as All Blacks attack coach before taking over from Jones with the Wallabies, and is contracted to finish up with the Wallabies after taking on Italy on July 18, the same day New Zealand face Ireland at Eden Park.
The Sydney Morning Herald reported that Schmidt was due to step down from his role with the Wallabies after The Rugby Championship, but agreed to stay until the end of July to ensure a smooth transition to incoming coach Les Kiss, who will finish the Super Rugby season with the Queensland Reds.
“Sources speaking on the condition of anonymity say it is unlikely that Schmidt would seek to end his contract with Rugby Australia early, but New Zealand Rugby could still appoint an interim coach until he is available.”
Vern Cotter could fit the bill for a two-year appointment.
He’s been the mastermind behind a hugely-impressive transformation with the Blues, and has international experience with Scotland and Fiji.
Former All Blacks assistant and Wallabies coach Robbie Deans could be viewed as a trusted guiding hand towards the 2027 World Cup, but ex-Wales and Lions boss Warren Gatland would be at long odds.
Pat Lam made a name for himself with Irish club Connacht, defeating the big boys Leinster and Munster, and has also done a similar job with the relatively under-funded Bristol in the Premiership. He has turned down an offer from Wales however, so may not throw his hat in the ring here.
New Zealand Rugby chair David Kirk said on Thursday that the organisation would be speaking to as many coaches as possible.
“No one in mind,” he said. “It’s completely open. We’re going to cast the net wide.
“We’re going to get as many people as we can. We think that coaching the All Blacks is the greatest rugby coaching role in the world. We are very hopeful we’ll see plenty of highly qualified candidates.”