It's Hammerlander time
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<p>Joe Schmidt is expected to announce after the tour to SA that he is stepping down from Ireland head coach to return to NZ at the end of his contract (i.e the 2017 6Ns). A number of Irish papers are running with an interview with the IRFU DoR/High Performance Director today in which he says the IRFu would love Schmidt to stay through the 2019 RWC but that Schmidt has particular family circumstance (a son has very bad epilepsy) and that the IRFU is prepared if Schmidt announces his decision to leave at the end of his contract. <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.the42.ie/irfu-joe-schmidt-back-up-plan-2797743-Jun2016/'>http://www.the42.ie/irfu-joe-schmidt-back-up-plan-2797743-Jun2016/</a></p>
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<p>Vern Cotter's contract also runs to the end of 2017, I think.</p>
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<p>If Rennie departs for Europe, would Schmidt be a strong candidate for them or has Kieran Keane the inside track for that role?</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Brian9848" data-cid="584584" data-time="1464790683">
<div>If Rennie departs for Europe, would Schmidt be a strong candidate for them or has Kieran Keane the inside track for that role?</div>
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<p>I think Keane will take over from Rennie.</p>
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<p>Speaking of Ireland, Isaac Boss is back in the Waikato and will be playing NPC rugby this season. He is now 36 yrs old but I suppose with TKB having AB commitments and Weber going back to HB, we've lost a fair bit of experience. Boss is on the bench for Monday's Ranfurly Shield defence vs Thames Valley.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="sparky" data-cid="584576" data-time="1464785819">
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<p>Anyone know if Rob Penney, Vern Cotter or John Schmidt have applied for either of these roles?</p>
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<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.odt.co.nz/sport/rugby/379520/rugby-penney-latest-coach-rule-himself-out'>http://www.odt.co.nz/sport/rugby/379520/rugby-penney-latest-coach-rule-himself-out</a></p>
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<p><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;background-color:rgb(230,230,230);">Penney had been mooted as a contender to step into Jamie Joseph's shoes but he told the </span><i>Otago Daily Times</i><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;background-color:rgb(230,230,230);"> yesterday he would not be considered for the job.</span></p>
<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;background-color:rgb(230,230,230);">Penney said he was not in the loop for the job and was not in a position to consider himself for the post.</p>
<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;background-color:rgb(230,230,230);">Asked if he was chasing the Crusaders head coaching position, given Todd Blackadder is moving on at the end of the season, he said that was also unlikely.</p>
<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;background-color:rgb(230,230,230);">He declined further comment.</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SammyC" data-cid="584663" data-time="1464823497">
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<p>I posted in the Crusaders coach thread about Schmidt.</p>
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<p>A guy I know who works there told me he has applied for the job. Unsure if he has applied for the highlanders role too.</p>
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<p>Very interesting. I heard that there was a good chance Schmidt was probably going home at the end of the SA tour and asking for an early release from his contract. This makes a fair amount of sense, although the Chiefs job would be available at the end of his contract. </p>
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<p>The Irish coaching position will probably be the plum assignment up North as I don't see any other Test positions opening up. Wonder if Rennie has been contacted.</p> -
Yeah I'm hearing whispers from Irish mates about Schmidt leaving Ireland. <br><br>
I'm not sure about him coaching the crusaders. His Irish backline selections have been very conservative recently. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Billy Tell" data-cid="585545" data-time="1465329938">
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<p>Yeah I'm hearing whispers from Irish mates about Schmidt leaving Ireland.<br><br>
I'm not sure about him coaching the crusaders. His Irish backline selections have been very conservative recently.</p>
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<p>So he'd fit right in as long he is happy keeping one giant Fijian?</p> -
<p>What a surprise Nepia liked the post above....</p>
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<p>I want Schmidt, I think he's a good coach. I think he's done much better with Ireland than either Hansen or Henry did with Wales.</p>
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<p>My main concern would be that he's been out of the NZ system a while, so keeping Robertson, Hewitt and Fatson on as assistants would be ideal from a selection point of view.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SammyC" data-cid="585745" data-time="1465420121">
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<p>What a surprise Nepia liked the post above....</p>
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<p>I want Schmidt, I think he's a good coach. I think he's done much better with Ireland than either Hansen or Henry did with Wales.</p>
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<p>My main concern would be that he's been out of the NZ system a while, so keeping Robertson, Hewitt and Fatson on as assistants would be ideal from a selection point of view.</p>
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<p>Come on, you didn't think it was funny? And to think you were accusing me of not having a sense of humour. ;)</p> -
<p>Word I'm hearing is Colin Cooper is firming to get the Highlanders gig. I'm slightly underwhelmed, but it seems bugger all coaches were really interested.</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SouthernMan" data-cid="585818" data-time="1465435813">
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<p>Word I'm hearing is Colin Cooper is firming to get the Highlanders gig. I'm slightly underwhelmed, but it seems bugger all coaches were really interested.</p>
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<p>I guess coming into a high performing environment where expectations will be very high must be almost as overwhelming as going into a poor underperforming one, where expectations are also high, but for different reasons.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SouthernMan" data-cid="585818" data-time="1465435813">
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<p>Word I'm hearing is Colin Cooper is firming to get the Highlanders gig. I'm slightly underwhelmed, but it seems bugger all coaches were really interested.</p>
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<p>The position comes with strings attached (i.e., the assistant coaches are already in place) so that might be an issue for some coaches. Cooper has won the NPC and Super Rugby as an assistant, and coached NZ A and the Maori. The Highlanders could do much worse for a Kiwi coach.</p> -
<p>Tony Brown named head coach for Highlanders with Scott Mcleod and Mark Hammett assistants</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Smudge" data-cid="585838" data-time="1465441704">
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<p>Oddly enough, it's only for one year. Brown heading to work with the Japan national team in 2018. So it's a stop-gap measure. Whoopie. </p>
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<p>Highlanders Chair: "Tony, this is your assistant, Mark Hammett".</p>
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<p>Tony, "Nice to meet you, Mark".</p>
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<p>Hammer, "You're fired"!</p> -
<p>This smacks as Highlanders settling for second best.</p>
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<p>They wanted Tony Brown but he wasn't keen because they knew he was bailing in 2018. They couldn't find anyone else worthy so they convinced him to coach for at last one year. Then thought they better lock in their second option, Hammett, as assistant in case he got contracted by Buller before 2018 rolled around.</p>
