Overseas interest in Taranaki job

The sudden demise of the first outsider to coach the Taranaki rugby team hasn't put off international hopefuls.

Taranaki Rugby Football Union chairman Peter Crawford yesterday revealed the union had fielded several calls from overseas after the job was advertised nationally and internationally on Saturday.

Crawford would not elaborate on who had shown interest.

Adrian Kennedy resigned from the post last week after two years in the job. The first outsider to coach the province, he left the job after Taranaki finished eighth in the Air New Zealand Cup in both his seasons in charge.

Crawford said the union's board had yet to finalise who would sit on the appointment panel.

"What we really wanted to do was get the ads in and get organised and once we have a good level of applicants then we'll pick a panel and get on with it."

In 2007, TRFU chief executive Mark Robinson, All Blacks backs coach Wayne Smith, Crawford, director Martin Dravitzki, Ian Snook and Lyall Bunn sat on the appointment panel that decided Kennedy was the best man for the job.

No time frame had been set by the board as to when it would shortlist candidates or start interviewing applicants. "We thought we would move first to see who was interested in the job," Crawford said.

Several coaches within Taranaki have signalled their intention to stand for the position, including Kennedy's assistant Neil Barnes, Taranaki development coach Shane McDonald and his assistant Michael Carr, New Plymouth Old Boys coach Ross Lilley and championship-winning Coastal coach Kevin Walden.

A former assistant of Kennedy, Leo Crowley, has also put his hand up. Crowley left the position after just one season after falling out with Kennedy early in the former coach's tenure.

He is tipped to team up with Manawatu backs coach and former All Black Jason O'Halloran in a joint bid for the position.

The cut-off date for applications is November 27.

In the job advertisement, the union says it is looking for a coach to be the "driving force behind a winning" Taranaki side.

Several key competencies were listed, including a proven and successful coaching background, leadership expertise and a demonstrated ability to motivate players with experience in assessing and managing performance.

- © Fairfax NZ News