Blues coach Vern Cotter leaving to take head coaching role at Reds, ruled out of All Blacks job

Vern Cotter’s third year as Blues head coach will be his last.

The Herald understands Cotter will finish up with the Blues at the end of the 2026 season and take over as the Queensland Reds head coach the following year.

Outgoing Reds head coach Les Kiss is set to assume the Wallabies head coaching post from Joe Schmidt in July.

Cotter committing to the Reds rules him out of the race to replace Scott Robertson as All Blacks head coach, stripping another option from the contenders and potential coaching teams.

Schmidt has also ruled himself out of contention for the All Blacks while highly regarded assistant Tony Brown is committed to the Springboks through to the 2027 World Cup. Wayne Smith is also departing New Zealand rugby.

Cotter guided the Blues to a breakthrough Super Rugby title – their first in 21 years – in his first season at the helm in 2024. The Blues then lost 21-14 to the Crusaders, last year’s champions, in their semifinal in Christchurch.

Cotter preparing to switch allegiance and join the Reds will surprise some but he is motivated to deliver Australia their first Super Rugby title since the Waratahs won the competition 12 years ago.

The vastly experienced mentor’s exit from the Blues did not blindside the franchise, either, with the search for his replacement well underway and interviews expected to begin soon.

Cotter said the decision was made with respect and gratitude for the Blues and New Zealand Rugby.

“When I arrived, I was brought in to help create a winning culture, and over the past few years we’ve had a lot of mature, honest conversations about where the club was and where it needed to go,” Cotter said.

“The landscape has changed significantly since I came in, and it genuinely feels like the club is well set up for its next phase of evolution. There has been a lot of good during my time here, and I’m proud of what we’ve built together.

“Timing is always important in this game, and it feels like the right moment for both me and the club to plan for what comes next.

“This club has a proud history and a special connection with its people. Right now, my focus is firmly on the 2026 season and doing everything I can to help this team perform at its best and leave the club in a strong position.”

Blues CEO Karl Budge said the decision to announce Cotter’s future ahead of the season would provide clarity for all parties and support the club’s future focus.

“This has been part of a long-term strategy, and both Vern and the club felt it was the right thing to be open and clear before the season begins,” Budge said.

“We hugely appreciate everything Vern has done and continues to do for the club. He has delivered exactly what he was brought in to do. The Blues have a strong performance environment, clear DNA of how we want to play and know what it takes to be champions.”

“Vern is 100 percent focused on the job at hand,” Budge added.

“He is deeply invested in this playing group and this organisation, and that does not change. We know he will continue to lead with the same professionalism and drive that has defined his time here.”