All Blacks confirm the appointment of Dane Coles

Wednesday, 04 February 2026 at 02:34

byRugby Rucker

Former All Black Dane Coles will play a key role in the process to find the next head coach of the New Zealand national rugby team, New Zealand Rugby (NZR) has confirmed.

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Coles, 39, a hooker who earned 90 test caps before retiring in 2023, will sit on a five‑person appointment panel alongside fellow former All Blacks hooker Keven Mealamu, NZR chair and former All Black David Kirk, interim NZR chief executive Steve Lancaster, and high‑performance expert Don Tricker.

The panel will be responsible for shortlisting and interviewing candidates to replace Scott Robertson, who left the All Blacks head coach role following an end‑of‑season review by NZR in January.

Robertson, who took charge after the 2023 Rugby World Cup, finished with a 20‑win record from 27 matches, but concerns over the team’s trajectory ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup prompted the union to begin a fresh coaching search.

A Crucial Moment for New Zealand Rugby

The All Blacks face an important 2026 schedule, including the inaugural Nations Championship and a marquee tour of South Africa’s top provincial sides and Springboks Tests. With the 2027 Rugby World Cup less than two years away, NZR has vowed to “cast a wide net” for candidates and not limit its options.

Kirk said the panel would take a thorough approach to the appointment process before the NZR board makes the final decision.

Current Favourites to Take the Helm

With the search underway, a handful of high‑profile names have emerged as frontrunners or strong contenders for the All Blacks head coach job:

Jamie Joseph

Widely viewed as the leading contender, Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph is considered the front‑runner to succeed Robertson. Joseph, 56, has a wealth of coaching experience, including leading Japan through two Rugby World Cup cycles and guiding the Highlanders to a Super Rugby title in 2015. He also serves as coach of the All Blacks XV, keeping him closely connected to New Zealand Rugby’s structures.

Dave Rennie

Another name frequently mentioned is Dave Rennie, the former Wallabies coach and ex‑Chiefs Super Rugby boss. Rugby insiders see Rennie as a credible international option with extensive experience in high‑pressure environments, and there is speculation he could be interested if approached.

Others in the Mix

While Joseph and Rennie dominate much of the conversation, a few other candidates might attract interest:

Clayton McMillan — Recently appointed to coach Munster Rugby, McMillan has deep roots in New Zealand rugby through roles with the Chiefs, Māori All Blacks and All Blacks XV. His overseas contract complicates matters but would not rule him out entirely.
Joe Schmidt — The former Wallabies and Ireland coach has been mentioned as a name familiar with top‑end international coaching, though recent indications suggest he may remain in his current role and is not actively pursuing the All Blacks vacancy.

These names represent a mix of Super Rugby and international experience — reflecting NZR’s stated intent to explore a broad field of candidates before narrowing to the final shortlist.