All Blacks 2026
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All Blacks Head Coach Selection Framework
Executive Search Consultant Recommendations
Date: January 2026
Engagement: New Zealand Rugby Head Coach Recruitment
Executive Summary
Scott Robertson’s departure (74% win rate, two years) proves technical competence without cultural leadership fails at elite level. Critical issues: player disengagement, coaching instability (MacDonald and Holland resignations), declining trajectory (43-10 South Africa loss, defeats to Argentina and England).
Solution: Six evidence-based criteria prioritising culture and coaching partnerships (50% combined). Candidates must bring established coaching relationships (Jamie Joseph + Tony Brown model) or demonstrate compelling assistant recruitment with specific commitments.
Target Pool: Dave Rennie, Jamie Joseph, Joe Schmidt, Warren Gatland, Robbie Deans, elite domestic coaches.
Process: 8-week structured, bias-free selection.
Success Metric: Win 2027 Rugby World Cup.
Six Core Selection Criteria
1. Team Culture Architect (25%)
Build psychologically safe, high-accountability environments where diverse personalities thrive under pressure.
Evidence: Player satisfaction scores, cultural transformation examples, conflict management track record
Assessment: 10+ player references, case study, psychometric testing, behavioural interview
Red Flags: Player departures, defensive responses, authoritarian leadership
2. Curator of Coaching Excellence (25%)
Recruit and retain elite coaching talent through collaborative excellence.
Evidence:
- Coaching team stability (>80% retention)
- Proven partnerships (Joseph-Brown: Highlanders 2015 champions, Japan 2019 RWC)
- Existing elite coaching relationships
Assessment: Specific coaching team proposal with names and preliminary commitments, assistant coach references
Critical: Robertson’s MacDonald departure exposed coaching alignment failures. Candidates must bring partnerships OR specific recruitment commitments—no vague promises.
Red Flags: Assistant turnover, generic proposals, autocratic style
3. Strategic & Tactical Mastery (20%)
Outthink elite coaches in high-stakes environments.
Evidence: 75%+ win rate vs. top-4 nations, tournament success, tactical flexibility, innovation
Assessment: Video analysis of All Blacks performances, live tactical problem-solving, track record review
Red Flags: Limited tier-one success, inflexibility, poor tournament record
4. Authentic Leadership Under Pressure (15%)
Resilience and transparent decision-making under intense scrutiny.
Evidence: Recovery from defeats, transparent communication, learning from failures, media composure
Assessment: Behavioural interview, written post-defeat response, psychometric testing, references
Red Flags: Defensiveness, blame-shifting, poor media relations
5. International Excellence (10%)
Proven track record at international or elite level.
Evidence: International experience (preferred) or elite domestic success with World Cup cycle understanding
Assessment: Performance benchmarks, World Cup strategy presentation
6. Player Engagement (5%)
Clear, authentic communication building trust with professional athletes.
Evidence: Player testimonials, transparent selection communication, squad harmony management
Assessment: Player panel interview, written communication test, references
8-Week Selection Process
Week 1: Panel formation, global candidate search, psychometric assessments commence
Weeks 3-5: Video interviews, tactical case studies, cultural presentations, coaching team proposals with specific names, shortlist to 3-4
Weeks 5-7: Full-day interviews, live tactical analysis, 10+ reference checks, coaching team presentations with preliminary commitments, player panel interviews
Weeks 7-8: Panel recommendation to Board, contract negotiation (head coach + assistant budgets), parallel assistant contracting, public announcement with confirmed team
Key Performance Indicators
Cultural (Primary):
- Player engagement >90% (quarterly)
- Zero assistant departures
- Positive culture trajectory
Performance (Secondary):
- 2026: >80% win rate, Rugby Championship top 2
- 2027: Win World Cup (minimum quarter-final)
Critical Success Factors
- Evidence-based appointment — No “jobs for the boys,” transparent rationale
- Coaching partnerships — Joseph-Brown model OR specific commitments
- World Cup readiness — Clear pathway, tournament track record
Final Recommendation
Robertson proved technical excellence without cultural leadership and coaching cohesion fails. This 8-week process prioritises culture and partnerships whilst ensuring rigour and maximum preparation time before June 2026.
The All Blacks deserve a coach capable of restoring World Cup-winning excellence.
Next Steps:
- Board endorses framework (72 hours)
- Execute 8-week process (February-March 2026)
- Announce with confirmed coaching team (late March 2026)
Best-practice executive search methodology applied to elite sports leadership.
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this is more user friendly and ultimately where you get the board to focus on
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@ShaquilleOatmeal said in All Blacks 2026:
@zedsdeadbaby said in All Blacks 2026:
On the issue of whether Razor wasn’t willing to fix things - go back to when Kirk is addressing the media with his own remarks (before questions). He seemed to suggest there was some back and forth on changes/the way forward but then felt it was no longer possible.
Maybe Razor as was mentioned above refused to accept his own shortcomings
Robertson either didn’t think there was anything wrong or didn’t have a satisfactory solution to the issues. And if he did have a solution, wouldn’t he have at least begun to implement it already
Yeah. I can certainly see how he might have argued that the feedback was disgruntled players or that they were ‘close’ (his hypothetical words not mine) to clicking/a grand slam but Kirk clearly saw the bullshit
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@Bones said in All Blacks 2026:
@Mr-Fish said in All Blacks 2026:
@sparky said in All Blacks 2026:
Clayton Macmillan has publicly ruled himself out of an All Blacks coaching role:
Makes sense.
Would be great to see him come into the fold after 2027.
Serious question - why? I don't recall him having outstanding success (or having even been around that long as a coach).
Across McMillan's seasons in charge, the Chiefs were the most consistent side (four finals and one semi-final from five years). Didn't result in any silverware but was clearly doing something right.
If winning a Super title is the only requirement then NZ wouldn't have very many options.
McMillan would be a good assistant with a potential eye to the future.
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Things are unravelling for him at Munster currently so…
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@nzzp said in All Blacks 2026:
Concerns raised. Razor has many strenths, but I am not sure articulating a plan to a board is one of them. I suspect he struggles to write well - hence his (reported) request to speak to the board.
He doesn't speak particularly well either.
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@zedsdeadbaby said in All Blacks 2026:
Things are unravelling for him at Munster currently so…
Yeah that last sentence from @Mr-Fish did feel a bit shark jumpy.
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@zedsdeadbaby said in All Blacks 2026:
Things are unravelling for him at Munster currently so…
Things unravelled for GH in Wales too. I can't remember how Shag left things? Smith basically gave the ABs job away. Things don't always go smooth all the time. It will be the board's job to work out who can be best suited to the role. I would ask Graham Henry and Shag their opinions for starters. And actually pay attention this time
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@zedsdeadbaby said in All Blacks 2026:
Things are unravelling for him at Munster currently so…
A couple of close losses recently. But you look at the team list compared to Leinster. They should never lose.
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@Bones said in All Blacks 2026:
@Mr-Fish is there much other than his super career to go off?
Not much more than Jane, Mackintosh etc.
Some decent performances with the Maori All Blacks and All Blacks XV.
Not suggesting he's there yet but if he has a couple of decent seasons with Munster then I think he should be right in the mix.
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@ChiefsMana said in All Blacks 2026:
I have been thinking today. Can 2026 be a 2010 all over again? I remember after 2009 thinking we had no shot at the world cup. South Africa looked invincible. But then 2010 comes along and something clicked. Maybe I am delusional and this is cope, but I genuinely think it is possible, even with a new coaching set up.
Could just as easily be the start of a repeat of the 2009 season, mate.
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@booboo said in All Blacks 2026:
@kpkanz said in All Blacks 2026:
@booboo The next coach needs to come in and break this apart before it gets even more toxic than it already is.
It's got so bad they're keeping dibs now on who is or isn't being picked as starters from their clique.
Will they refuse to train or give negative feedback for the incoming coach if they don't get what they want in the future as well??
(razor deserved to go, but I'm concerned there's a rot forming from senior established starters where it may actually be better to get rid of all of them and move forward with the next gen).
Need to break down the cliques. Agreed.
100%. And without being there, it's a bit chicken or the egg with the cliques vs Robertson. Did his behaviour cause them, or was he simply not able to stop them? Either way, if a senior AB is leading a faction inside the ABs and giving speeches announcing which members of that group get selected to start this week... well that's not leadership, it's not working towards team cohesion as a senior player should, it's just undermining the actual leadership. Whether you like them or not, it's not a good thing to do.
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@PN said in All Blacks 2026:
@ChiefsMana said in All Blacks 2026:
I have been thinking today. Can 2026 be a 2010 all over again? I remember after 2009 thinking we had no shot at the world cup. South Africa looked invincible. But then 2010 comes along and something clicked. Maybe I am delusional and this is cope, but I genuinely think it is possible, even with a new coaching set up.
Could just as easily be the start of a repeat of the 2009 season, mate.
That's okay, so long as 2027 is then our 2010.
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@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2026:
@cgrant said in All Blacks 2026:
I'd like to see John Mitchell as defense coach. He did very well for England in this role.
The coach that dropped Cullen should never be allowed anywhere near the All Blacks again.
Although if he was willing to drop Cullen, then it's highly doubtful B Barrett would have played so many games over the last two years.
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@No-Quarter said in All Blacks 2026:
@tubbyj said in All Blacks 2026:
@Bones said in All Blacks 2026:
@tubbyj said in All Blacks 2026:
Love this thread. Not only are Jamie Joseph and Tony Brown going to come in and turn us into world beaters in record time but the snowflake senior players are all going to love Jamie Joseph's style of 'old school' coaching that from what I hear involves swearing and abusing players.
Also not only do the posters on here know more about international coaching than Scott Robertson but also Wayne Smith now.
Cry more. Just go and have a few quiets with Scott, it's all going to be ok.
It is not a matter of crying it is human decency. It didn't work out for Robertson and while I can appreciate some posters may be fueled on here by the adrenaline of the story appearing here well in advance there is no need to carry like a bunch of feral dogs trying to rip Scott Robertsons carcass apart.
This may have been necessary but it is not good for Scott Robertson personally, NZ rugby or the All Blacks. It may play out it is not good for David Kirk or the next lot of caoches as well time will tell. Anyone getting there jollies posting about it makes me wonder if you really care about NZ rugby or just the drama of things like this..
Jesus Wayne Smith expresses some public support for Scott Robertson in what must be one of the low moments in his life that few here will probably experience or could appreciate and you all start branding him as a know nothing has been.
Lol piss off, he treated the players like absolute shit, allowed cliques to form by ignoring player concerns, and generally completely fucked the culture of the ABs. And cry me a fucking river, I'd wager most people have gone through far more awful things than being sacked for valid reasons. I hope Razor is never anywhere near the ABs or NZR in any capacity moving forward.
username checks out
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@mohikamo well said , there’s so much that’s wrong with our game and it’s no surprise that across different levels that the foundations are so shaky
Everything from club level up is an issue .Brent Impey when he was chairman even though he’s quite a smart knife in the draw ,listening to him on the between 2 beers podcast only confirmed some of the arrogance coming out of NZ Rugby
He even threw a hail mary when the righting was on the wall for himself suggesting rugby and league clubs should combine
Not the worst idea but what but once again brings into question ,what were you doing in your 7 years as chairman .? -
@reprobate said in All Blacks 2026:
@booboo said in All Blacks 2026:
@kpkanz said in All Blacks 2026:
@booboo The next coach needs to come in and break this apart before it gets even more toxic than it already is.
It's got so bad they're keeping dibs now on who is or isn't being picked as starters from their clique.
Will they refuse to train or give negative feedback for the incoming coach if they don't get what they want in the future as well??
(razor deserved to go, but I'm concerned there's a rot forming from senior established starters where it may actually be better to get rid of all of them and move forward with the next gen).
Need to break down the cliques. Agreed.
100%. And without being there, it's a bit chicken or the egg with the cliques vs Robertson. Did his behaviour cause them, or was he simply not able to stop them? Either way, if a senior AB is leading a faction inside the ABs and giving speeches announcing which members of that group get selected to start this week... well that's not leadership, it's not working towards team cohesion as a senior player should, it's just undermining the actual leadership. Whether you like them or not, it's not a good thing to do.
When Laurie Mains took over in 1992 he apparently told the players on their tour to Australia if he noticed any cliques those players would be sent home. Wouldn't quite fly today obviously.
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@LABCAT said in All Blacks 2026:
@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2026:
@cgrant said in All Blacks 2026:
I'd like to see John Mitchell as defense coach. He did very well for England in this role.
The coach that dropped Cullen should never be allowed anywhere near the All Blacks again.
Although if he was willing to drop Cullen, then it's highly doubtful B Barrett would have played so many games over the last two years.
Actually if you read Cullen's or Oliver's books he had same problems as Razor, no communication ability, players not knowing what was happening.
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@Biorealism said in All Blacks 2026:
@reprobate said in All Blacks 2026:
@booboo said in All Blacks 2026:
@kpkanz said in All Blacks 2026:
@booboo The next coach needs to come in and break this apart before it gets even more toxic than it already is.
It's got so bad they're keeping dibs now on who is or isn't being picked as starters from their clique.
Will they refuse to train or give negative feedback for the incoming coach if they don't get what they want in the future as well??
(razor deserved to go, but I'm concerned there's a rot forming from senior established starters where it may actually be better to get rid of all of them and move forward with the next gen).
Need to break down the cliques. Agreed.
100%. And without being there, it's a bit chicken or the egg with the cliques vs Robertson. Did his behaviour cause them, or was he simply not able to stop them? Either way, if a senior AB is leading a faction inside the ABs and giving speeches announcing which members of that group get selected to start this week... well that's not leadership, it's not working towards team cohesion as a senior player should, it's just undermining the actual leadership. Whether you like them or not, it's not a good thing to do.
When Laurie Mains took over in 1992 he apparently told the players on their tour to Australia if he noticed any cliques those players would be sent home. Wouldn't quite fly today obviously.
Well I glad you said 'apparently'. It had Ian Jones in it. This whole clique thing is bullshit, there has always been groups/cliques of players who just have more in common.
