All Blacks coach-in-waiting Scott Robertson is reportedly poised to raid Super Rugby Pacific franchises for their coaching talent, as he assembles his support staff for his 2024 debut.
As expected, the Crusaders maestro has been named as Ian Foster's successor to the national team, once they have completed their Rugby World Cup campaign in France this year.
Since his appointment last month, speculation has been rife over who he will bring along for the ride.
NZ Herald reports Hurricanes coach Jason Holland, who had denied any approach from Robertson, will likely join a brains trust that could include Blues counterpart Leon MacDonald and Crusaders assistant Scott Hansen.
"He's been biding his time around the announcement of his assistants and I think that's a big part of his gig as well," said MacDonald. "He's going to assemble the team, and he should have the ability as and when he wants.
"As soon as we're able to talk a bit more about it, I'd love to chat."
That recruitment drive would leave three NZ Super Rugby outfits scrambling to fill head-coaching vacancies for next season.
The all-star line-up would leave no room for incumbents and former All Blacks Scott McLeod and Greg Feek, who would join Foster and assistant Joe Schmidt looking for new jobs. Former assistants John Plumtree and Brad Mooar were shown the door midway through the 2022 campaign.
Of the existing staff, only Jason Ryan, who transformed the forward pack when introduced last year, would remain.
Ryan, Hansen and MacDonald have all served under Robertson at the Crusaders, while Robertson and Holland coached Canterbury and NZ U20s together.
