By CHRIS RATTUE
Discarded Chiefs assistant coach Kevin Greene is on the verge of pulling out of the race to find the franchise's new coach because he has been given "well-placed" information that John Boe is a shoo-in for the job.
Greene did not actually identify Boe, saying only that another candidate
virtually had the job already, even though applications have not closed.
However, former Waikato coach Boe and his running-mate, John Mitchell, are understood to be the heavy favourites of the franchise, who will appoint three of the four people to interview candidates.
The interview committee, which will also have one New Zealand Rugby Football Union member, will then make its recommendation to the Chiefs board, with the NZRFU left to give the stamp of approval.
That makes it almost a certainty that someone from within the franchise will get the job, and reduces the likelihood of left-field decisions, such as the one which put rookie Taranaki coach Jed Rowlands in charge of the Blues last year.
Cooper jumped before he was pushed last week when he resigned and that meant Greene lost his job as well.
With Boe having already found his favoured assistant, there may be little point in Greene applying for either job.
The 50-year Greene, a former All Black non-test halfback, was set to join the race but was ready to alter course after a meeting yesterday with an informant.
Greene said: "At this stage my informant has told me I'd be better off staying home on the farm than applying for the job.
"What I've been told by someone, who is very much in the know, is that the people who make the decision have got in mind who they want for the job, although nothing is signed yet and applications close in a week's time.
"If that is the situation I'd rather walk away and get on with something else."
Greene's last hope might be to link up with former Counties Manukau coach Mac McCallion, who has indicated he will apply.
Both are former Super 12 assistant coaches and McCallion specialises in the forwards, and Greene the backs.
"I haven't finally made my mind up yet and I'd be keen to talk to Mac," Greene said.
"It's just that until today I didn't really know where I was at."
