Rugby: Whither wanders the path of Jed's coaching career?

By Wynne Gray

So what becomes of Jed Rowlands and the Super 12 coaching scene next year?

Rowlands was sacked this week from an Auckland NPC job he had not even started and, strangely, was given a reference for his pursuit of further Super 12 positions.

The message from Auckland to the NZRFU is: "You deal with Rowlands. You saddled us with this mess so you sort it out. We approve of Rowlands in any franchise except ours."

Which franchise could that be? If one thing should be clear amongst the Blues troubles, it should be that a novice coach would progress better in his regular environment or in a more gradual ascent through the NPC and Super 12 chain.

Given those requirements and the impression Rowlands gives of being on the NZRFU-favoured list, he might figure in the Hurricanes set-up. As head coach? Surely not after this season.

As assistant to Frank Oliver? That would be about as combustible a mix as the Mac McCallion-Rowlands arrangement.

Would that then mean Oliver having to give way even though his franchise seems to be a regular dumping ground for Super 12 rejects and each season he has to start afresh? It would also seem tough as the Hurricanes promise much more next season with players like Kupu Vanisi, David Holwell, Jason Spice and Dion Waller all available again.

The NZRFU is not going to cut Rowlands completely - they will not take him from head coach to the dole queue.

He was appointed the NZ under-19 coach before that was overtaken by his Blues appointment. Maybe a return to that level would be the best solution.

Who will be the successful Super 12 appointments when they are made in July and will there have to be further alterations later in the year because of changes to the next All Black panel?

If so there may have to be major changes because the NZRFU has said that if a head or assistant Super 12 coach disappears for some reason then the other's position will have to be reassessed.

For now, the Highlanders and Crusaders staff look stable while Ross Cooper is much more secure after the Chiefs' late flourish and Oliver can argue his case. Their assistants may be reviewed for the next two-year term while the Blues remains wide open.

Perhaps Cooper might be persuaded to move to the Blues and McCallion could be given his chance with the Chiefs. But the NZRFU's reluctance to appoint McCallion as head coach this season gives that an unlikely feel.