The best man to back up Robbie

All the smart money is on Robbie Deans becoming the next All Blacks coach. But if that's the case, then who will be his assistant? Who will he summon to take charge of his pack?

Presuming Deans lands the job, which will be confirmed some time after applications close next Monday, he's clearly going to need an offsider with some expertise up front. RugbyHeaven co-editors Marc Hinton and Duncan Johnstone put forward their favoured candidates.

VERN COTTER – Marc Hinton

There may well be some red tape to cut through before this appointment can become a reality, but all things being equal if I was Robbie Deans I'd whistle up my old Crusaders assistant Vern Cotter from France.

To me Cotter shapes as just the man to take charge of the All Black pack and provide Deans with the sort of backup he'll require from his No 2 in a rebuilt management team.

His record is nothing short of sensational, the big man performing near miracles with Bay of Plenty before joining the Crusaders as an assistant and helping to guide them to back-to-back Super 14 titles in '05-06. Then in his first year in charge of Clermont in France he took the unfashionable club all the way to the final of the Top 14 championship.

The man clearly has some coaching ability.

He's an uncomplicated sort of bloke, too, a straight talker and a roll-your-sleeves up type who fits in well with Deans' style of operation.

They've worked brilliantly together in the past, and there's no reason why they can't do so again.

In fact as Deans works through his list of possible offsiders I'm sure he'll be agonising longest over the names of his two Crusaders assistants Cotter and Colin Cooper.

But there's just something about the success Cotter has had and the qualities he tends to bring out in his forward packs which suggest to me that there could be some long-distance calling going on between Christchurch and France once Deans hears confirmation that he's the new Man.

The complicating factor may be Cotter's commitments with Clermont. He has this season to run on his two-year contract, then evidently has an option for a third term should he desire.

But with Clermont faring so well under his guidance it's likely the French outfit will do what they can to hold on to him.

So are the NZRU prepared to wait for him, till his French commitments are completed? And will Cotter himself be prepared to turn down the big money likely to be on offer for his new contract to return for a role with the All Blacks?

My spies in Christchurch tell me Deans is holding off any planning in this area until he knows the job is officially his, but you know he'll be mulling over his options as the process plays out over the next week or so.

Cotter is a man who would relish the chance to get his hands on an All Black pack.

After the Graham Henry era, when so many strides were made with the New Zealand forward game, it's important this good work is continued. The accent must continue to be on set-piece dominance and winning the breakdown battle, and I believe Cotter is the right man to take the reins in this area.

It remains to be seen whether he's prepared to cut his French ties to serve his nation.

COLIN COOPER – Duncan Johnstone

Colin Cooper is a proven talent as a forwards coach at every level below the test scene. If Robbie Deans wants him, then this is his time.

Cooper has done the business with Taranaki in the NPC, as an assistant to Deans with the Crusaders, as head coach of the Hurricanes, in charge of the New Zealand Colts and as co-coach of the Junior All Blacks.

He's been on the NZRU's coaching elevator for a while now and surely the next stop has to be with the All Blacks.

There are a few candidates around that could fit in with Deans as a forwards specialist – most notably Vern Cotter or John Mitchell. Some younger blood is also available in the likes of Todd Blackadder, Mark Hammett or Pat Lam.

But Cotter has complications with his French club deal at Clermont, Mitchell won't suit the NZRU and the other three are still making their way up the coaching ladder.

That leaves Cooper, a former Taranaki loose forward, as the best option. He had a fine working relationship with Deans when he helped the Crusaders win the 2002 Super 12 title.

He made enough of an impression to be elevated to the Hurricanes job the very next season and has been a thorn in the side of Deans' teams ever since.

Cooper is a fine technician and has helped progress the careers of several outstanding players.

Jerry Collins speaks very highly of Cooper and there's no doubt that the coach has been instrumental in the development of Rodney So'oialo as a player and a leader as well as bringing on test talent like Neemia Tialata, Chris Masoe, John Schwalger and Andrew Hore.

The Hurricanes' scrum has been arguably the biggest improver on the Super rugby scene in recent times and when you combine their set piece work with their back row talent, the big yellow pack is one of the most respected in the game.

Three semifinals and a finals appearance in five years isn't a bad return when operaitng with a side that were usually serious underachievers before his arrival.

Cooper is a gentleman but don't let his smiling face, quiet speech or gentle nature fool you. He knows when to fire up and he's old-school with some of his ways, meaning the grunt and grind have to be delivered up front along with the flashy stuff.

He's not afraid to make some big calls either. While he's in charge of the forwards at the Canes, as head coach he has had to agonise over some tough decisions over proven talent like Ma'a Nonu, Piri Weepu, Conrad Smith and even Tana Umaga.

With Cooper on the NZRU's books, this is a convenient option. But it's also a worthy one. Bring him on.

- © Fairfax NZ News