Overview
- A five-person panel will run the process, comprising chair David Kirk, Keven Mealamu, Don Tricker, interim CEO Steve Lancaster and a yet-to-be-named recently retired All Black, with the NZR Board making the final decision.
- Only New Zealand candidates with previous international head-coach experience will be invited to apply, with shortlisting and interviews to follow.
- Current Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has ruled himself out, and media discussion highlights Jamie Joseph, Dave Rennie and Vern Cotter as possible contenders who meet the stated criteria.
- Lancaster said the existing assistants remain under contract and that NZR will appoint the head coach first before settling the wider coaching group.
- Scott Robertson was removed on Jan. 15 after a review judged the team not on track for 2027, and the All Blacks begin their 2026 Test season on July 4 in Christchurch.