Former Swansea coach John Plumtree is set to be confirmed as part of the All Blacks coaching set-up tomorrow (Thurs) with the Scarlets’ Brad Mooar expected to soon follow.
The pair are both keen to join newly appointed New Zealand head coach Ian Foster, who succeeded Steve Hansen after the World Cup.
Plumtree is poised to announce he is taking the role of forwards coach under Foster after his current employers, the Hurricanes, called a press conference to discuss their coaching situation.
In addition to Plumtree and Mooar – who would become All Blacks’ backs coach – former Ireland assistant coach Greg Feek and Hansen’s defence coach Scott McLeod are also likely to join Foster’s set-up.
Plumtree has been involved with the Hurricanes since 2015, first as an assistant to Chris Boyd before he was elevated to the head coaching role last year.
The 54-year-old was in charge of Swansea just before the domestic game was restructured into regions and led them to a Welsh domestic league title, a Welsh-Scottish title, and Welsh Cup triumph before leaving for Wellington in 2001.
Fellow New Zealander Mooar is close to joining Foster, with Dai Sport revealing last week that the Scarlets were in talks over seeking £200,000 compensation to secure an early release.
Mooar Money . . . Scarlets Want £200k For Brad As Glenn Delaney Stands By
Mooar only took control of the Scarlets earlier this year on a three-year contract after he helped Scott Robertson guide the Canterbury Crusaders to a third successive Super Rugby title.
The Scarlets players already appear resigned to losing Mooar, with Wales lock Jake Ball insisting it reflected well on the region that the most renowned rugby team in the world wanted to recruit from West Wales.
“From a selfish point of view, we’d love for Brad to stay,” said Ball, as the region face up to a repeat of the situation in 2014, when Simon Easterby was head-hunted by Ireland and the Scarlets turned to his then assistant Wayne Pivac.
“But it’s a great achievement for the club when you look at the number of coaches who’ve moved on to international set-ups over the last couple of years.
“I think the general reaction was big congratulations to him, just to be looking at that (potential job) is great.”
Mooar has said he was humbled but “torn” at interest from the All Blacks, but, in the meantime, was devoting his energy to the Scarlets’ Guinness Pro 14 and European Champions Cup campaigns after guiding them to seven wins from 10 matches since arriving from New Zealand.
“The question has been asked, we are grown adults and are having responsible conversations and things will pan out,” the former Christchurch lawyer said.
With Mooar set to go, the Scarlets are considering turning to current defence coach Glenn Delaney, another New Zealander, who has spent time in charge of Nottingham and London Irish as well as role with the Hurricanes and Canterbury in his homeland.
