The hunt for the next All Blacks head coach is heating up, and even rival coaches are weighing in! Springboks boss Rassie Erasmus has shared his candid thoughts on who might be the best fit for the iconic New Zealand coaching role, a position that's been vacant since January 15th when Scott Robertson's departure was announced. With the rugby world buzzing about potential successors, Erasmus, whose Springboks are slated for a massive four-Test tour against the All Blacks later this year, offered his insights.
Speaking to South African media, the 53-year-old coach delved into the profiles of two leading contenders: Jamie Joseph and Dave Rennie. Erasmus, a seasoned figure in the game, reflected on his past encounters with Joseph, noting his extensive coaching experience, particularly in Japan.
"If you go on aura and what he's done, how hard he's always worked... all the coaches that have worked with him say he works unbelievably hard, and players feel comfortable under him," Erasmus remarked about Joseph. He added, "I don’t know which one is the right one, but both will be great."
But here's where it gets interesting... Erasmus also discussed Dave Rennie's distinct coaching philosophy. He recalled Rennie's impactful stints with Glasgow and the Chiefs, highlighting a perceived "no mercy" approach in his training. "As a South African coaching against him, I think he might get it right at Test level," Erasmus mused, referencing Rennie's intense methods, like "Rennie's Time" with contact on a Thursday before matches. "Can you do that in the international squad? I think you can."
And this is the part most people miss: Erasmus acknowledges the difference in coaching styles and admits he's not entirely sure who will ultimately land the prestigious All Blacks job. He even playfully suggested Dave Rennie might disagree with his assessment!
What do you think? Does Jamie Joseph's aura and player rapport make him the frontrunner, or is Dave Rennie's intense, results-driven approach the key to unlocking the All Blacks' potential? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below – do you agree with Rassie's assessment, or do you have another candidate in mind?
