New Zealand Rugby has announced the addition of former All Blacks player Dane Coles to the panel in charge of choosing the new head coach for the national team. Coles, who amassed 90 Test caps during his career and played under Ian Foster at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, brings a valuable player's perspective to the selection process.
The panel, led by NZR chair David Kirk, also includes former All Black Keven Mealamu, high-performance specialist Don Tricker, and interim chief executive Steve Lancaster. This decision follows the dismissal of previous coach Scott Robertson after the 2025 season review revealed player dissatisfaction, with coaches Jamie Joseph and Dave Rennie emerging as strong contenders for the role.
The application period for the head coach position has closed, with New Zealand Rugby emphasizing a preference for local candidates with international coaching experience. The announcement of Robertson's successor is pending, as the governing body looks to steer the All Blacks in a new direction with proven leadership at the helm.
