Chiefs' coach John Mitchell was today named coach of the All Blacks rugby team, replacing Wayne Smith who has held the job for the last two seasons.
Mitchell, 37, is a former All Blacks No 8 and was Clive Woodward's assistant with the England team before taking over as coach ofSuper 12 franchise The Chiefs this year.
NZRFU Chairman Murray McCaw today said Mitchell had the right coaching qualities to steer the All Blacks to victory in the 2003 Rugby World Cup.
"As an All Black he epitomised many of the qualities that will be required of his players in the next two years if they are to win the Rugby World Cup."
"John demonstrated to the panel that he has the right combination of old fashioned All Blacks values and innovation needed to win in the modern game," he said.
Mr McCaw paid tribute to Smith and assistant coach Tony Gilbert.
He said there were not many coaches – or professionals in any other field – who would ask for their jobs to be readvertised as Smith did.
"He (Smith) believes the All Blacks should have the best and this contestable process will ensure that they will."
Mr McCaw said Mitchell, Smith, Gilbert and Peter Thorburn would select the team to tour in November but that Mitchell would coach it with coaching assistance that was still to be determined.
The current support staff, under All Blacks manager Andrew Martin, would go on the November tour but its future makeup would be decided at a later date.
The coaching job was advertised last week after Smith told the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRFU) review panel he was not sure if he was the right man to continue as coach.
After asking the panel to advertise the job, he changed his mind the next day and decided to contest it.
Twenty-two applications were received.
Smith, Gilbert and Crusaders Super 12 coach Robbie Deans were understood to have been on the NZRFU's selection panel's shortlist.
Contenders such as Buck Shelford and John Boe, who reached the final stages two years ago, did not made the shortlist for the job.
