Former All Blacks coach Ian Foster and former test assistant Jason Holland lead the shortlist to replace Vern Cotter at the Blues next year, but Dave Rennie has knocked back another approach to take the reins.
The Blues are well advanced in their quest to replace Cotter when he departs following his third Super Rugby Pacific season at the helm this year.
Cotter and new Blues chief executive Karl Budge shared transparent discussions last year to ensure there were no surprises when the vastly experienced mentor announced he will join the Queensland Reds next season.
The Herald understands the Blues approached Rennie late last year, before he applied to contest the vacant All Blacks head coach role alongside Jamie Joseph.
That was the second time in three years the Blues chased Rennie’s services after he declined their overtures in 2024 – at that stage to replace Leon MacDonald before the franchise signed Cotter.
Rennie has also rejected this latest pursuit, as he remains loyal to the Chiefs after leading the Hamilton franchise for six years – a period that included successive titles in 2012 and 2013.
While Budge did not want to discuss individuals, the Herald understands the Blues’ search for a replacement head coach has identified Holland and Foster among the leading candidates.
“You always want to move quickly if we can. We’ve got some people we’re doing some homework on at the moment. We’ve got some people we’re starting to have some preliminary conversations with so we’ll want to keep moving on it,” Budge said.
“These things can be a distraction so we want to be clear with the playing group, clear with Vern, and make sure we’re doing our job off the field.”
Holland graduated from four years as assistant to lead the Hurricanes from 2020 to 2023, compiling a 56.1% win record from 57 Super Rugby matches in charge. He departed the Hurricanes to serve as All Blacks assistant coach, but after having limited involvement in the attack and selection, he opted to not renew his contract prior to Scott Robertson’s removal last month.
While Holland has this year returned to significantly bolster the Hurricanes coaching staff, a head coach role with the Blues may appeal more than his current assistant duties.
Hurricanes and All Blacks openside Du’Plessis Kirifi is among those to speak highly of Holland’s coaching abilities.
“That guy is a wizard,” Kirifi said. “He’s got a huge love for the game both technically and holistically. He’s a man that has been around the group for a long time before he left for the All Blacks. We’re really lucky to have him back and it’s awesome to see him with a smile on his face.”
Foster could, potentially, be coaxed back from Japan to join Rennie or Joseph’s All Blacks coaching teams but so, too, is he in the Blues’ sights.
Before joining the All Blacks for 12 years – eight as assistant to Sir Steve Hansen, four as head coach – Foster led the Chiefs for eight seasons from 2004 to 2011. He coached 106 Super Rugby games for a 50% win rate (53 wins, 48 losses, 5 draws).
Foster’s best season with the Chiefs finished with the 61-17 final loss to the Bulls in Pretoria in 2009. The Chiefs also reached the 2004 semi-final.
Foster is coaching alongside Hansen at Toyota Verblitz. The Japanese club are enduring another challenging season, sitting last in the League One with 19 losses from their last 25 games.
Having worked closely with Dalton Papali’i, Beauden Barrett, Patrick Tuipulotu, Caleb Clarke and Ofa Tu’ungafasi with the All Blacks, Foster has established relationships with some Blues players.
After playing 148 games for Waikato as a first five-eighths, and three seasons for the inaugural Chiefs, joining the Blues may challenge Foster’s loyalties.
Likewise Holland, having spent nine years with the Hurricanes, would also require a switch in allegiance.
The Blues are seeking an experienced head coach to replace Cotter, someone who will drive recruitment, retention and consistently challenge for titles.
“There’s a lot of work being done in the background about what that next coach looks like. We’ve been open that we want a longer-term coach. We’re excited by that,” Budge said.
“We’ve put a lot of work into what the Blues want to be, what’s our performance DNA. Vern has helped lay those foundations for us and now we get to go and have a look for someone who can live that.
“We want someone who can take the next phase of this club. Vern has done an incredible job teaching us how to win. We got really close for a number of seasons and couldn’t get over that line. Vern gave us that winning DNA.”
Whether it’s Holland, Foster or another candidate who replaces Cotter next season, the expectation is clear for the next Blues coach.
Liam Napier is a Senior Sports Journalist and Rugby Correspondent for the New Zealand Herald. He is a co-host of the Rugby Direct podcast.