Warren Gatland turns down All Blacks approach

 at the time.

Despite the brutal call, Robertson’s numbers stack up. The former Crusaders boss won 20 of his 27 Tests in charge — a strike rate no northern hemisphere side can touch over the same period. Not even Ireland at their peak, nor a revitalised England, come close.

It’s not the first time Gatland’s name has surfaced in All Blacks discussions, either.

The New Zealander famously turned down the role once before. Back in 2019, Gatland was invited to apply after Steve Hansen vacated the post, but chose loyalty over ambition.

“I was asked to apply for the position now and I’ve gone back to them to say I won’t be putting my name forward,” Gatland told The Telegraph

“At this point I’ve made a commitment to the Chiefs and I’ve made a commitment to the Lions.

“They appreciated it, they understood it. I just think it would look poor me applying [for the All Blacks job]. It wouldn’t sit well with me, having already made those commitments to the other two parties.”

Whether Gatland would knock them back again this time remains to be seen — but with NZ Rugby under pressure, don’t expect this link to disappear anytime soon.

After extremely strong rumours that Scott Robertson is set to be removed as All Blacks head coach, attention has turned to who could steady the ship and reshape the side.

Here we examine five realistic candidates, each offering a different mix of experience, continuity and risk going forward.

Jamie Joseph appears the front-runner, largely because he is already embedded within New Zealand Rugby’s elite pathway. A former Otago flanker, Joseph earned 20 All Blacks caps between 1992 and 1995 before later representing Japan. His long playing and coaching connection to the New Zealand system gives him a level of familiarity few candidates can match.

His coaching career has been wide-ranging and successful, including stints with Wellington, the Māori All Blacks, the Highlanders, Japan and the Sunwolves. He returned to the Highlanders in 2024 and was appointed head coach of the All Blacks XV in 2025, a move widely viewed as positioning him for higher honours.

Joseph’s track record of building disciplined, resilient teams is well established, most notably with Japan’s historic rise on the world stage. With deep knowledge of local structures and strong international credibility, he offers both continuity and authority. If NZR wants a smooth transition rather than a reset, Joseph shapes as the most natural successor.

Clayton McMillan has built his reputation through steady progression and strong leadership at multiple levels of the game. Raised in Rotorua, he combined a playing career for Bay of Plenty with work as a police officer before moving into coaching. His grounding in provincial rugby has shaped a practical, people-focused coaching style.

He impressed as head coach of Bay of Plenty and later with the Chiefs, where he initially took over in an interim role in 2020 and became one of Super Rugby’s most respected figures. McMillan also led the Māori All Blacks from 2017 to 2023 and served as both assistant and head coach of the All Blacks XV between 2022 and 2024, giving him valuable exposure to the national setup.

However, his recent appointment as Munster head coach from mid-2025 complicates matters. While a buyout would be required, the prestige of the All Blacks job could still make him a realistic candidate if New Zealand Rugby decide he is the right long-term option.

If New Zealand opts for experience over continuity, Eddie Jones would be the most dramatic choice. One of the most travelled and decorated coaches in world rugby, Jones has led Australia, Japan and England, and worked in advisory roles with South Africa. His career has been defined by bold decisions and a willingness to challenge conventional thinking.

His achievements include guiding Australia to the 2003 Rugby World Cup final, masterminding Japan’s famous upset of the Springboks in 2015, and leading England to Six Nations titles and the 2019 World Cup final. He is currently back in charge of Japan, continuing his reputation as a coach capable of reshaping teams quickly.

Appointing Jones would be a major departure from tradition, making him the first non-New Zealander to coach the All Blacks. It would divide opinion, but with the 2027 World Cup looming, his record of delivering results on the biggest stages may prove difficult to ignore.

Joe Schmidt represents a blend of international success and deep familiarity with New Zealand rugby. After early coaching roles with Bay of Plenty, the Blues and Clermont Auvergne, Schmidt transformed Leinster into a European powerhouse, reaching six finals and winning four major titles in a short period.

His tenure as Ireland head coach from 2013 to 2019 elevated him to the top tier of world coaching. Ireland won three Six Nations titles, including a Grand Slam in 2018, achieved their first victories over the All Blacks, and rose to number one in the world rankings for the first time in their history.

Schmidt later returned home as All Blacks attack coach between 2022 and 2023, reinforcing his understanding of the current environment. However, he stepped away from head coaching duties with Australia to prioritise family commitments. If persuaded to return, his tactical intelligence and calm authority would make him a formidable option.

Warren Gatland offers unmatched big-tournament pedigree and short-term certainty. During his long tenure with Wales from 2007 to 2019, he delivered three Six Nations titles, all Grand Slams, and guided the team to two World Cup semi-finals. He also built a reputation for forging resilient, highly structured sides.

Gatland led the British and Irish Lions on three tours, including a series victory over Australia in 2013 and a drawn series in New Zealand in 2017. He later coached the Chiefs before returning to Wales in 2022, although his second stint ended midway through the 2025 Six Nations following a prolonged run of poor results.

While recent form has raised questions, his experience in managing elite environments remains undeniable. With the 2027 World Cup approaching, Gatland could be viewed as a stabilising, short-term appointment capable of imposing structure, discipline and clarity on a squad seeking immediate direction.