FUN FACTS ABOUT COACHES

As we head into a new era of coaching for 2026, we've extracted some peculiar facts relating to NZ coaches over the years:

Eric Watson, All Black coach 1979-80, once made his team train using bricks, instead of balls. This was supposedly to raise the level of care with their passing and catching.

Firstly Fred Allen, then Brian Lochore, declined the coaching role with the Cavaliers tour to South Africa in 1986. It was then offered to Colin Meads. 

In 1978, the coach of the touring Australian team, Daryl Harberecht's had a heart attack on tour. His team went on to win their last 3 tour matches, including a 30-16 victory in the 3rd test - where Greg Cornelson scored 4 tries. The series was lost 2-1.

In 1992 an independent committee recommended the appointment of John Hart as All Blacks coach to replace Alex Wyllie. The Rugby Union elected to appoint Laurie Mains.

JJ Stewart coached the NZ Colts team to Ceylon (later Sri Lanka) in 1955 at the age of just 32. He wasn't to become the All Black coach until 1973 at age 50.

John Hart asked Sean Fitzpatrick to join his coaching staff in 1998. His assistants Ross Cooper and Gordon Hunter were later dumped. Hart often relied on Fitzpatrick and Zinzan Brooke for technical assistance.