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Wallabies set for leftovers from All Blacks head coach race

Glasgow head coach Dave Rennie. (Photo by Henry Browne/Getty Images)

A high-octane battle to be next All Blacks coach is under way and Australian rugby could be waiting to scoop up their pick of the leftovers, in a repeat of the Robbie Deans coup 12 years ago.

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The trans-Tasman rivals are chasing successors to Michael Cheika and Steve Hansen after both fell short of their targets at the Rugby World Cup.

Replacements are expected to be announced by Christmas but while New Zealand Rugby’s main contenders are relatively clear cut, mystery surrounds the Australian process.

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It was widely believed Rugby Australia’s director of rugby Scott Johnson had Dave Rennie in his sights to succeed Cheika and become the second Kiwi coach of the Wallabies after Deans.

However, Rennie is among a handful of prominent names invited by NZR to apply for the vacant All Blacks post and he said he was “humbled” by the approach.

Others certainly in the mix are incumbent All Blacks assistant coach Ian Foster and highly successful Crusaders coach Scott Robertson, while Japan’s head coach Jamie Joseph is likely to put his name in the hat.

It means at least three high-quality head coaches will be left without an international post.

One of them could then have their head turned by Johnson.

Deans was famously unveiled as Wallabies coach on December 14, 2007, just seven days after losing out to Graham Henry in a high-profile All Blacks race.

Whoever crossed the Tasman could come as a team, bringing his nominated assistants for the New Zealand job with him.

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Conjecture surrounds the identity of each coach’s preferred assistants with one exception.

Highly rated attack coach Tony Brown has committed to keep working with Joseph, having turned down approaches from both Foster and Robertson.

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Joseph is weighing up a lucrative offer to remain with Japan and Brown indicated the Wallabies probably weren’t on his radar, in an interview with Sky Sport NZ on Wednesday.

Brown also rated Foster and Robertson as the “leading contenders” to get the All Blacks back on track after their disappointing bronze medal return in Japan.

Hansen and star playmaker Beauden Barrett have both called for Foster’s promotion to the top job in the name of continuity.

However, other commentators believe it is time for a clear-out and the change of approach that the charismatic Robertson would bring.

A NZR appointment panel unveiled on Wednesday comprised chairman Brent Impey, incoming chief executive Mark Robinson, high performance boss Mike Anthony, former All Blacks coach Graham Henry and former Silver Ferns coach Waimarama Taumaunu.

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M
MA 3 hours ago
How the four-team format will help the Wallabies defeat the Lions

In regards to Mack Hansen, Tuipoloto and others who talent wasnt 'seen'..

If we look at acting, soccer and cricket as examples, Hugh Jackman, the Heminsworths in acting; Keith Urban in Nashville, Mike Hussey and various cricketers who played in UK and made the Australian team; and many soccer players playing overseas.


My opinion is that perhaps the ' 'potential' or latent talent is there, but it's just below the surface.


ANd that decision, as made by Tane Edmed, Noah, Will Skelton to go overseas is the catalyst to activate the latent and bring it to the surface.


Based on my personal experience of leaving Oz and spending 14 months o/s, I was fully away from home and all usual support systems and past memories that reminded me of the past.


Ooverseas, they weren't there. I had t o survive, I could invent myself as who I wanted, and there was no one to blame but me.


It bought me alive, focused my efforts towards what I wanted and people largely accepted me for who I was and how I turned up.


So my suggestion is to make overseas scholarships for younger players and older too so they can benefit from the value offered by overseas coaching acumen, established systems, higher intensity competition which like the pressure that turns coal into diamonds, can produce more Skeltons, Arnold's, Kellaways and the like.


After the Lion's tour say, create 20 x $10,000 scholarships for players to travel and play overseas.


Set up a HECS style arrangement if necessary to recycle these funds ongoingly.


Ooverseas travel, like parenthood or difficult life situations brings out people's physical and emotional strengths in my own experiences, let's use it in rugby.

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