KEY POINTS:
The incumbent All Black coaches are believed to be preparing to seek re-appointment on a single ticket.
In the clearest indication yet that Graham Henry will seek another term as head coach, he is understood to have met with at least one of his lieutenants, Steve Hansen and
Wayne Smith, and possibly both, in Christchurch on Tuesday.
It is also understood that Henry has been sounding out some senior players to gauge their response to another two-year term with them in charge.
If they do re-apply, as appears likely, they will point to their pre-World Cup 90 per cent winning record and the need for continuity. They will also go up against Robbie Deans, New Zealand's most successful domestic coach, who has declared himself willing and available to be the next All Blacks coach.
At this stage it appears to be a one-in, all-in plan although there has been speculation Smith could be a scapegoat for the backline failings against France and new blood could be introduced - perhaps Greg Cooper or Shane Howarth.
However, this management have preached loyalty from the outset so the only way Smith will be excised is if he decides not to re-apply.
A New Zealand Rugby Union spokesman told the Herald on Sunday he had no indication if Henry would seek re-election. The only thing on the national body's mind was the ongoing coaching review which would be fed into the wider World Cup review.
"As yet there is no process determined as to how the All Black coach will be appointed," he said.
Nobody from that camp is talking - Henry turned down our request for an interview though he gave a brief and inconclusive quote to the Weekend Herald. In a dramatic turnaround, the trio once congratulated for making the All Blacks more accessible have gone underground.
However, recent polls show supporting a retention of the regime that proved extremely successful until the big prize.
It was thought that if the All Blacks had won the Quadrennial Obsession then there would have been a smooth transition for Henry to move on, either back to Wales or in a consultant role at the NZRU, with Hansen taking over.
Such a move is recognised as unpalatable to the rugby public.
Instead, it is likely they will highlight the continuity aspect that has been missing after every one of the five consecutive failed campaigns, with Hansen gradually taking a greater role in the running of the team, shifting the planned transition back two years.
Exactly who Deans would have as his assistants is unclear but one obvious candidate is Hurricanes' coach Colin Cooper.
Warren Gatland's name has also figured but the fact his partnership with Ian Foster at the Chiefs was tenuous indicates he is a head coach first and foremost. His name has also cropped up in association with Wales, Australia, and there is even talk he and Jake White could combine their talents with England.
Deans regards former Bay of Plenty coach and Crusaders assistant Vern Cotter highly. Cotter guided Clermont Auvergne to the French club final last year but would seem a more logical replacement for the Crusaders job should Deans be elevated, with perhaps Todd Blackadder as his assistant.
