NZRFU face defeat over Gilbert
January 8, 2002

Former All Blacks assistant coach Tony Gilbert is expected to decide in the next day or so whether to take up the position of head coach at the new Scottish professional side Borders.

Reports in Scotland suggest his visit to the Borders last month went well, when he stayed in Galashiels with the Scottish Rugby Union's director of rugby Jim Telfer.

During his stay he toured Borders grounds and watched the Scotland Under-19s and two club games, admitting he was "very enthusiastic" about the offer.

According to The Scotsman, Telfer was last night still awaiting a decision from Gilbert, but it has emerged that the NZRFU has been working to persuade the former Otago Highlanders coach to stay in New Zealand.

Gilbert, 58, is still contracted to
the All Blacks and his home union are keen to stop the current brain-drain of top coaches leaving the country - following the likes of Wayne Smith, now at Northampton; Warren Gatland, now Wasps; Steve Nance at Montferrand; Steve Hansen, who joined Graham Henry at Wales; and Wayne Shelford, currently in talks with clubs in Europe.

An NZRFU spokesman told the newspaper, "I don't think the union would stand in his way if he opted to leave for Scotland or elsewhere, but there has been a lot of talking going on in an effort to persuade Tony to remain in New Zealand. Tony is a very well-respected coach and we have lost a few in the past year or so which we can't afford."

The SRU is expected to outline its progress on the new Borders team later this week.

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