The new Moana Pasifika and Fijian Drua franchises have been unsuccessful in a bold attempt to recruit former Ireland coach and one-time All Blacks coaching contender Joe Schmidt, a move that signals their desire to land a big fish of the coaching world.
Both franchises were granted conditional licences by New Zealand Rugby in April and are in the process of compiling their playing rosters, but securing a coaching heavyweight is also seen as critical to their success and Schmidt was one of their targets, Stuff understands.
Schmidt is living in Taupō and is widely regarded as one of the sharpest rugby minds in the world, but his consultancy work for World Rugby and a commitment to prioritise his family after his spell in charge of Ireland are factors that have taken him out of the running.
Schmidt has a connection with Fiji through their test coach Vern Cotter, whom he worked with at both the Bay of Plenty and French club Clermont, but he was unequivocal after his time in Ireland that he would take some time away from the game.
Sir Steve Hansen is another New Zealand-based big name that would fit the bill for the new franchises in terms of knowledge and profile, although he has existing commitments with Toyota Verblitz in Japan and the Canterbury Bulldogs in the NRL.
Both Moana Pasifika and the Fijian Drua have advertised their head coaching roles during the past month, with Moana Pasifika going to the market in the past fortnight.
In a job description of the role listed on the New Zealand Rugby website, candidates for the Moana Pasfika role need to have “5 years plus coaching experience at International, Super Rugby, English Premiership, Pro 14, Top 14 or Top League level” and possess a “high level of cultural awareness and capability to adapt to a unique environment”.
There are number candidates in New Zealand that meet those criteria, and although former Highlanders coach Aaron Mauger told Stuff in April that he had not put his name forward “at that stage” he may well yet shape a strong candidate.
Tabai Matson, who is currently in charge of the New Zealand under-20s program, is another coach who would appear to have the right credentials, while Tana Umaga has consistently been linked with the role, although he told Stuff last year that he was content at the Blues.
However, both franchises’ desire to recruit a coaching mastermind from the elite level of the game suggests they understand that such an appointment would provide momentum to two new teams that will naturally have their challenges in their early years.
Stuff also understands that connections have now been formed between Moana Pasifika and the respective coaches of Tonga and Samoa – Toutai Kefu and Seilala Mapusua – so there is alignment on player recruitment.
These discussions are designed to make sure there is an agreed pathway for players from the franchise to the test arena, which is a key requirement for World Rugby, which is offering funding to both Moana Pasifika and the Fijian Drua.
The desire among Pasifika and Fijian players to put their hand up for the new franchises is said to be healthy, while World Rugby is also involved in discussions related to player eligibility.
Both franchises are trying to get the balance right between feeding players into the Tongan and Samoan test sides and being competitive at Super Rugby level, cognisant of the fact that the Sunwolves’ lack of success hurt their case despite Japanese fans warming to the franchise.
Tonga and Fiji will play the All Blacks in July, while Samoan will face the Māori All Blacks.
Those tests will invariably showcase some of the players that will form part of Moana Pasifika and the Fijian Drua’s inaugural Super Rugby squads.
