By WYNNE GRAY
Waikato rugby legends John Boe and John Mitchell may unite in a bid to win the Chiefs' coaching ticket for next Super 12 series.
The pair have been seen as the strongest candidates from within the franchise, but also as opponents in the fight to succeed departing coach Ross Cooper.
However, after looking at the ragged history of the troubled franchise, it is understood Boe and Mitchell felt the Chiefs could not take another disruptive coaching scrap.
Much like the All Black coaching outcome last year, when leading candidates Wayne Smith and Tony Gilbert joined forces, the Chiefs may be asked to consider a Boe-Mitchell alliance.
While Cooper's assistant this season, Kevin Greene, will reapply for a position and former Counties Manukau coach Mac McCallion wants to re-enter the rugby arena, Boe and Mitchell have the strongest credentials.
Signals coming out of the Waikato yesterday were all about the chance of a Boe-Mitchell pairing in the latest twist to the coaching dramas which have troubled the Chiefs since the start of the Super 12.
Brad Meurant was the initial coach with Sid Going as his assistant in 1996, then Meurant had Boe as his offsider the next year.
Cooper and Matt Te Pou joined up in 1998 and 1999, and this year Cooper and Greene were the coaching combination.
The Chiefs have finished sixth equal, 11th, seventh, sixth and 10th.
Boe has applied regularly for Super 12 jobs in New Zealand and even with the Waratahs and got to the second stage of interviews for the All Black panel last year.
But his one-season of assistant work in 1997 was his only Super 12 employment.
He took Waikato to the semifinals and final of the NPC, coached New Zealand to win the international under-19 tournament, and with a New Zealand Rugby Football Union coaching dispensation, led Samoa this year to the PacRim triumph.
On the other side of the globe, former Waikato captain John Mitchell began sharpening his coaching skills in the English club rugby circuit and then as national team assistant to Clive Woodward before returning this year to the Waikato.
Both men are ambitious about their rugby coaching careers, a fact which suggested neither would be content without the top Chiefs job.
Boe has built his reputation on being a strong technical coach, while Mitchell brings strong motivation and organisation skills to his coaching work.
Both have changed since the days they were coach and captain of Waikato, both are passionate about bringing some success to the Chiefs.
Rather than create divisive opinions amongst the franchise it appears Boe and Mitchell will choose to shoot for the jobs as a team.
Greene had a two-year contract but admitted his position had been dependent on Cooper staying.
He now has to reapply for either the coach or assistant coach job.
The NZRFU's Greg Peters said the two positions would be advertised this weekend.
The panel comprises the Chiefs' chief executive, Gary Dawson, a board member, an NZRFU representative and an independent rugby identity who will quiz the contenders and make recommendations.
Rugby: Boe, Mitchell may join forces
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.