The five worst head coaches in All Blacks history (Ranked 5-1)

The coaches on this list all posted records that would be admired almost anywhere else in the world. But in black, expectation is different, pressure is relentless, and even “good” can fall painfully short.

For a man who promised confrontation, very little was ultimately delivered. The All Blacks of the late 1960s and early 1970s were expected to dominate, yet this era became one of rare vulnerability.

Ivan Vodanovich, a former Test player, coached New Zealand from 1969 to 1971, winning only four of his ten matches. His tenure is remembered most for a pre-tour warning to the 1971 British Lions, claiming their “negative rugby” could result in “another Passchendaele.” The remark backfired spectacularly. The Lions went on to win the series 2–1, a landmark defeat on home soil. With modest results and an infamous soundbite, Vodanovich’s time in charge failed to meet the standards associated with the black jersey.

Respectability, not dominance, came to define this period in All Blacks history. The team remained competitive, but the aura of invincibility that usually surrounds New Zealand rugby was noticeably absent.

Laurie Mains, appointed in 1992 after a long coaching stint with Otago, led the All Blacks to the 1995 Rugby World Cup final, where they fell to host nation South Africa. Across 34 Tests he recorded 23 wins, a record that would be admirable for most nations but underwhelming by New Zealand’s standards. His sides were efficient rather than inspiring, rarely capturing the imagination. Mains steadied the ship in a transitional era, but in a role defined by excellence, “solid” was never going to be enough.

Few appointments arrived with more expectation. After dominating Super Rugby, the new head coach was seen as the man to usher in a bold, successful era for the national side. Instead, it became one of the shortest and most awkward chapters in modern history.

Scott Robertson officially took over in late 2023, with his first season in 2024. Results failed to match the hype, and by January 2026 New Zealand Rugby announced his departure following an end-of-season review. Robertson spoke of pride in developing young players and laying foundations, but also of his deep disappointment at how it ended. For a coach once considered a generational talent, his brief reign became a reminder that domestic brilliance does not always translate to international success.

This era was defined by tension as much as by performance. While the team remained competitive, internal strain and missed opportunities meant the All Blacks never fully settled under their new leadership.

Appointed in 2001, John Mitchell began with promising wins on tour before failing to reclaim the Bledisloe Cup in 2002. Although New Zealand regained it the following year, the 2003 World Cup proved decisive. After reaching the semi-finals, the All Blacks were comprehensively beaten by Australia.

Mitchell was dismissed soon after, officially due to difficult relationships with media and sponsors rather than on-field results. His later success elsewhere, including winning the 2025 World Cup with England’s Red Roses, only reinforced the sense that his All Blacks tenure never reached its potential.

Rarely has the All Blacks environment felt so uncertain. What was once a culture of dominance became a period of doubt, marked by unprecedented defeats and relentless scrutiny.

Taking over in 2019 after serving as Steve Hansen’s assistant, Ian Foster quickly faced pressure as results dipped. The low point came in 2022: a first-ever series loss to Ireland, a historic home defeat to Argentina, and five losses in six Tests. Although New Zealand Rugby publicly backed him, confidence never fully returned.

Heavy losses followed, including a record defeat to South Africa, before a late resurgence carried the team to the 2023 World Cup final, narrowly lost. Despite that run, Foster’s tenure is remembered as an era of instability rather than supremacy.