By WYNNE GRAY
After weeks of deliberation, rugby's special selection panel has ended up combining Wayne Smith and Tony Gilbert as its nomination for All Black coach, with Smith taking the lead role.
The panel's recommendation that the two leading contenders share the task - although not as co-coaches - goes before the Rugby Union board this morning.
Neither Smith, the Canterbury Crusaders coach and an All Black adviser this year, nor Gilbert, the Highlanders chief, could be rejected by the six-man panel.
It is understood that the panel believes the All Blacks will benefit from having both men involved, as their coaching skills complement each other.
However, the board may see the "combo" nomination as risky. The last time this was tried was at the failed 1991 World Cup when John Hart rode shotgun as assistant to Alex Wyllie.
It is also understood that former coach Laurie Mains offered himself as a caretaker for the All Blacks. He missed the cut for final assessment.
Smith and Gilbert picked for All Blacks
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