22 names up for All Black post
September 29, 2001

Wayne Smith is one of 22 application recived by the New Zealand Rugby Football Union for the position of All Blacks coach.

Although many from the list will be quickly discarded NZRFU chief executive David Rutherford was impressed by the calibre of the majority of the applicants.

"We will not be interviewing all 22 because that would take too long and some of them won't meet the criteria," Rutherford commented. "We'll draw up a short list of four to eight as soon as possible and interview them as quickly as possible. We still want to have a decision by the end of next month."

Among those names challenging Smith's intention to be re-appointed as the All Blakcs supremo are the Chiefs' coach John Mitchell and North Harbour coach Wayne Shelford.

Others who have declared they are in the running include John Boe, the former Waikato coach who has had success with the New Zealand under-19s, and Smith's assistant, Tony Gilbert.

Rutherford would not provide any details of the other candidates, but confirmed no one from overseas had applied. He also reiterated the Rugby Union's policy that the All Black coach had to come from within the ranks of Super 12 and national provincial championship coaches.

Rutherford continued his stance of not commenting on Smith's behaviour, but said the panel would have an open mind when it considers the applicants. "It's going to be a clean sheet of paper for everyone and the panel will look at everyone on their merits."

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