The All Blacks coaching panel face their performance review next week. Photo / Brett Phibbs
The All Blacks coaching team who saw their rugby World Cup campaign ended in the quarterfinals by France will face their own performance review next week.
New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) chairman Jock Hobbs said Graham Henry and assistants Steve Hansen and Wayne Smith will face the board's
rugby committee for their annual performance review.
"Obviously there's a greater edge to it this year," Hobbs said.
The committee will comprise Mike Eagle, Paul Quinn, Graham Mourie, Ivan Haines and Hobbs who will be assisted by senior NZRU management.
"There will be considerable discussion and at the completion of that, the rugby committee will report to the board on their assessment and conclusions."
It was hoped the coaches' performance review could be completed by Christmas.
Whether or not Henry was retained or a new coach for the All Blacks was called for, the performance review was the first step and Hobbs expected it would be completed by the middle of next week.
"So long as the board feels they have enough information, they will then move immediately to decide what is the appropriate appointment process - in other words, should applications be sought for the All Blacks coaching position."
As for the independent review of the All Blacks' World Cup campaign, Hobbs said it was hoped the wider review could be completed by the first quarter of next year.
"(A wider review) is something different, it's much broader, much wider, the focus is not just on the coaches (but also) on the preparation and training, both on and off the field for the entire campaign."
The board would also next week consider terms of reference for the wider review and who should carry it out.
"That review will not be completed until the first quarter of next year."
- NZPA
