Joe Schmidt is set to be a top contender for the All-Blacks job as he plots a sensational return to International management.
Both The New Zealand Herald and Stuff.co.nz report that the former Ireland and Leinster boss is considering throwing his name in the hat to become the next manager of the New Zealand rugby team.
Scott Robertson has long been the hot favourite for the role as a result of his exploits with Crusaders, while Japan coach Jamie Joseph is also expected to be in the running for the job.
READ MORE: Ireland squad v Scotland: Andy Farrell makes changes for Six Nations clash at Murrayfield
Ian Foster is the current All-Blacks head coach and has been since the conclusion of the 2019 World Cup. Since then, the All-Blacks' aura has been diminished somewhat with nine defeats in 34 Test matches, with two of those losses coming to Ireland in last Summer's test series in New Zealand.
He will leave the role in a matter of months, and Schmidt, who is part of Foster's backroom staff, is thought to be very interested in managing his home nation.
The Kiwi is familiar in these parts for his role in Irish rugby in years gone by. As head coach of Leinster he won Heineken Cup titles in 2011 and 2012 as the Irish province secured their status as the premier side in Europe.
He took over the Irish job in 2013 and held the position until the end of the 2019 World Cup. During that time, Ireland won three Six Nations titles including a Grand Slam success in 2018.
Upon leaving the role in 2019 he stated that he wouldn't take up a head coach role again, but his stance has clearly softened since then.
Foster has been under pressure for the past 18 months after a wretched run of form which has seen the three-time World Champions lose six times in nine matches between November 2021 and August 2022.
While their form has improved in recent months, Foster decided not to seek another term at the helm and will step down as boss at the conclusion of this year's World Cup in France.
Just last week, it was announced that Foster's successor would be announced in the coming weeks.
“Following wide ranging consultation and after carefully weighing up all scenarios and the key lessons from 2019, New Zealand Rugby is now commencing a process for selecting the All Blacks Head Coach from 2024,” NZR chair Patsy Reddy said in a statement last week.
“Noting the divergent views as to the best timings for this process and that neither timing window is perfect, out of respect for the people involved, New Zealand Rugby will not be making any further comment after today until a decision has been reached.
“This will be concluded in the next four to six weeks.”
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