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England and Sale Sharks come to the same conclusion over George Ford
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All Blacks: Five possible targets for the vacant assistant coach role
By Henry Lee
With the end-of-year review of the All Blacks likely in full swing, a replacement in the coaching staff is a genuine possibility, which could involve someone from outside the environment joining Scott Robertson’s staff.
Former Blues head coach Leon MacDonald left the All Blacks setup in 2024, before newly appointed Hurricanes assistant and former All Blacks coach Jason Holland, decided not to reapply for his assistant coach position, which was predominantly a “strike coach” role, after the conclusion of his two-year deal.
There’s some coaches overseas who could possibly be persuaded to join Robertson’s staff, while others are locked in international roles until the World Cup.
Contracts today seemingly carry less weight than they did 10-15 years ago, as coaches often have clauses in their deals that allow them flexibility when needed.
A reshuffle in the current coaching staff could be on the cards for this group, with someone taking up a bigger and more influential role, but you get the feeling that after doing that after MacDonald’s departure, they could be on the lookout for an addition.
Here are five of the options, whether they are directly available or not, that could fill the current void in the All Black coaching staff.
Tony Brown – Springboks
In an ideal world for Robertson, New Zealand Rugby, and the All Blacks, they would love to appoint current Springboks attack coach Tony Brown as the team’s new assistant coach going into 2026 and beyond.
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But that’s on the more unrealistic side, with Brown contracted with the Springboks up until the end of the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia, alongside head coach Rassie Erasmus, who just put pen to paper on a deal until 2031.
Erasmus, who recruited Brown in 2024 after Jamie Joseph’s group of coaches didn’t get the All Blacks job, has recently signed a contract extension with South Africa for another four years, up until the 2031 World Cup.
Brown hasn’t put to paper on a new deal just yet, but the likelihood of him jumping ship to the All Blacks under Robertson looks unlikely, despite being the No.1 target for NZR.
Ronan O’Gara – La Rochelle
The current La Rochelle head coach could add some experience that this All Blacks coaching staff needs, and he has a solid relationship with Robertson after working together at the Crusaders in 2018-19.
O’Gara’s long senior career for Ireland and Munster, combined with his successful coaching stints and hard-nosed approach, could be the main selling point for NZR.
The former Ireland playmaker has been shortlisted and rumoured to be in the hunt for an international gig, one of which is an All Blacks assistant coaching role.
Former All Black World-Cup winner and Crusaders outside back Israel Dagg was full of praise for O’Gara, who is contracted at La Rochelle up until 2027.
“If there’s someone out there, it’s potentially Ronan O’Gara,” Dagg said on his Sport Nation NZ radio show with Scotty Stevenson.
“Razor’s got a great relationship with him, I’ve been coached by him, he’s an awesome coach – I absolutely loved my time with Ronan.”
Andrew Goodman – Ireland
Ireland assistant coach Andrew Goodman has a contract in Andy Farrell’s coaching group until 2027 and has recently been a part of the British and Irish Lions coaching staff for their 2025 tour to Australia.
The backs coach has also previously held roles at Tasman, the Crusaders, and Leinster, winning a number of titles throughout his coaching career so far.
Goodman, considering his relationship with Robertson, Scott Hansen and Jason Ryan, could be one of the frontrunners if persuaded, especially with his Kiwi playing background.
There is no doubt the British and Irish Lions tour would have done him the world of good coaching-wise, and that specific experience, could help this All Blacks backline get back on track.
Nick Evans – Harlequins
The former All Black playmaker has been coaching abroad for all of his career after playing 208 times for Harlequins, and has been discussed as an option for the available role in the All Blacks coaching group.
Evans played 16 times for the All Blacks over a three-year period, and has been an assistant coach at both Harlequins and England since.
Sky Sport commentator Tony Johnson said on the DSPN Podcast with Martin Devlin that his aerial skills expertise could be a key reason for Evans to be wanted for the role.
“He’s been working with the Harlequins club, and as a player who could bring something in terms of igniting that attack, which has been a frustration this year, the backline attack, and also with his ability under the high ball,” Johnson said.
“Remember a former AFL player, Aussie Rules player, Nick Evans? Well, he didn’t go to the big show, but he played Australian rules, so obviously has that knowledge as well.”
Cory Jane – Hurricanes
Yes, the current Hurricanes assistant is a defence coach at the Wellington-based Super Rugby Pacific franchise, but his expertise around the high-ball tactics and how to defend it, could be the missing piece the All Blacks are searching for.
Jane’s work with the Hurricanes could also help him edge the role over the other candidates, as he could also help Tamati Ellison look after the defence, someone he has coached with before at the Hurricanes.
Jane has also dipped his feet into international-level coaching, helping Joseph with the All Blacks XV in their recent end-of-year European tour.
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