All Blacks: Crowley in line for Graham Henry's job

From appearing to be a straight, two-horse race just a few months ago, the All Black coaching job may have a handful of surprise contenders when it is put up for tender after the Rugby World Cup.

Canada's Kieran Crowley, especially if the Canucks play well today, has made a strong case to be taken seriously and will be encouraged by the New Zealand Rugby Union to apply for the job.

Other offshore coaches such as Vern Cotter and Joe Schmidt will also be contacted by the NZRU, as the national body is keen to make sure that everyone likely to be interested in the post is aware of the timings and process.

The post won't be advertised as such but the NZRU has a list of eligible coaches who will all be contacted with a view to begin the process of appointment shortly after the World Cup.

"We will proactively let people who are on our eligibility list, who we think are likely to be legitimate candidates know about the process," says NZRU chief executive Steve Tew.

"We are tossing up whether we start that communication now or whether that is a distraction because some people are still coaching or assistant coaching various teams."

NZRU high performance director Don Tricker will hold the key role in reviewing and interviewing applicants and subsequently making a recommendation to the board to vote on. Tew says they hope to have a coach confirmed before Christmas.

Crowley is perhaps now the dark horse in a process many felt would be a straight head-to-head between current All Black assistant Steve Hansen and Crusaders boss Todd Blackadder.

Having won one and drawn one, Canada have been one of the big improvers at this World Cup and possibly one of the bigger surprises.

They have played with structure and at times they have shown flair and enterprise. Crowley has been with them since 2008 and his impact has been obvious.

Canada have created things and scored tries - something many established teams have struggled to do in this tournament.

As a former All Black fullback and selector, as well as being a former coach of Taranaki, Crowley has the pedigree to be taken seriously; as does former Blues assistant Joe Schmidt, whose standing rocketed in late May when he coached Leinster to a Heineken Cup title.

He and Crowley both meet the eligibility criteria of having coached in New Zealand within the last five years for three years consecutively.

Cotter is another outside bet as he's been phenomenally successful since he left for France in 2006. He has taken Clermont to four Top 14 finals, finally winning one in 2010. Since he arrived, Clermont has become one of the most powerful clubs in Europe, able to attract the best players from all over the world.

But while the NZRU will ensure it casts its net as wide as possible, only this week Hansen reconfirmed his desire to succeed Graham Henry.

Having been with the All Blacks for the last eight years - today was his 100th test as assistant coach - and having also had experience with Wales between 2002 and 2004, Hansen has the most international experience of any likely contender.

He's also been part of a management team that has an 86 per cent win ratio - the highest of the professional age. His fate, though, depends largely on the outcome of the World Cup.

If the All Blacks crash out in the quarter-finals or even the semifinals, despite all his previous success, he's going to find it hard to mount a compelling case. The mood for change will be strong should the All Blacks fail to at least reach the final.