Former Warriors coach Tony Kemp has concerns the All Blacks may be heading down the same path as the NZ NRL team by accepting “mediocrity” from their coaching staff.
The national side has struggled to fire in recent seasons following years of dominance in world rugby, with their most recent defeat to Ireland on home soil prompting many calls for a change in personnel.
In comparison, the Warriors have trialled seven coaches across the last decade, yet have found little success.
Kemp worries that the All Blacks may be moving along the same path as his former club, and has questioned whether the leadership of head coach Ian Foster and his associates is the right direction moving forward.
“Are they becoming like the Warriors, or too similar to the Warriors with the way that they’re picking their coaches who just aren’t up to scratch?” Kemp said on SENZ Breakfast.
“For me, it’s a really big time to really think about that and iron out the issue before they have the same systemic problem, which is what the Warriors do in hiring mediocrity as part of the system.
“If you have a look at Ian Foster, he’s come through the All Black coaching ranks, yes he’s had some success as an assistant coach, but assistant coaches don’t always make good coaches.
“His team around him … are they the best (people) … John Plumtree and co, to get the job done?”
Kemp believes the All Blacks have slumped to a new low in recent years, and fears that the continual overlooking of some of the nation’s best coaches may push them further away from where they need to be a year out from the Rugby World Cup.
“Dave Rennie – Australian coach, Razor (Scott) Robertson … Wayne Smith – he’s in there in the women’s team, you’ve got Shag (Sir Steve Hansen) – he’s gone, you’ve got Robbie Deans,” Kemp continued.
“You’ve got all these great New Zealand coaches and yet what we’ve come up with for the All Black team, I think, is nothing but second-rate.
“It’s about putting the best team together. If we can’t do that, then you’re going down the same road as the Warriors.
“You’re just accepting mediocrity as a way forward and hopefully it will get you across the line.
“Don’t go down that road. Start now, do a review, change the coaching team and make sure they’re filled with the best coaches that we have to offer.”
The All Blacks will next head to South Africa for the Rugby Championship, with their opening match set to take place on August 7.