Who will become the new All Blacks head coach? The question is being asked more and more as the 2027 World Cup in Australia draws closer. Seeing one of, if not the, most prestigious national side in the world without a head coach a few months out from such an important date is strange, to say the least.

Since the removal of “Razor” Scott Robertson – the man the whole country had wanted to succeed Ian Foster -, several names have been put on the table. The first is Joe Schmidt. The local man had a spell as an assistant with the national side in the 2022-2023 season.

Since then, the 60-year-old had done an excellent job with Ireland before becoming, in 2024, the new head coach of Australia. Respected, admired and praised, the former Clermont assistant coach (2007-2010) was one of the natural candidates to succeed Robertson.

Joseph and Rennie in the running

Our colleagues at The Sydney Morning Herald have reported that Schmidt will stay loyal to the Wallabies. Changing national side a few months out from the World Cup is not in his plans. All the more so as Australia, in crisis in recent years, have found a few more guarantees.

Another potential and natural candidate: Vern Cotter. The former ASM manager, now coach of the Auckland Blues, is leaving New Zealand to coach the Queensland Reds, in Australia. The announcement was made official on Tuesday.

“I was already well down the track with the Reds and the board and I had been talking to them about this possible coaching opportunity for three months. I would have loved to coach the All Blacks, but that is not the case. I am very excited about the Reds’ plans and about where they can improve“, explained the former Scotland and Fiji head coach.

Time is running short for the New Zealand federation. Two other very serious candidates are in pole position to land the job. The first is Jamie Joseph, a former international between 1992 and 1995, along with Dave Rennie, also a New Zealander and a former head coach of… Australia.

You will have gathered as much: the nation that reinvented rugby is struggling and is not going into a crucial year for the country with any certainties.