All Blacks: Five possible targets for the vacant assistant coach role

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

“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

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.