NZ Rugby’s personnel crisis: Can David Kirk get Kiwi game back on firmer footing?

Wednesday, 21 January 2026

New Zealand Rugby chair David Kirk has some majo appointments to make in his organisation.

Marc Hinton is a long-serving senior rugby writer for The Post and Sunday Star-Times.

OPINION: Something is rotten in the state of New Zealand Rugby, and a seemingly chaotic All Blacks coaching situation might only be the tip of the iceberg.

In fact, it is no stretch to say that right now, the immensely capable, and decidedly unflappable, David Kirk carries the weight of the world on his shoulders as he deals with a scenario that should have all sorts of alarm bells ringing at the headquarters of New Zealand’s national sport.

In case you haven’t been paying attention, Kirk, the World Cup-winning All Blacks captain of 1987, is chair of the board that presides over an organisation that, as it stands, has no All Blacks coach (or indeed coaching setup), no chief executive, no chief commercial officer, no chief financial officer and a departing head of high performance at a time when the game’s elite development programmes might be in as dire a state as they have ever been.

And world-class, game-changing types ready to step in and assume those positional vacancies appear to be rather thin on the ground. If the cavalry is coming, there is no real sign of them on the horizon right now.

The ship is not quite rudderless – Kirk has quickly become the decisive new face of the organisation, and other capable types are doing their level-best to man the leadership stations while things are being sorted – but it is most definitely well short of the crew required to navigate the perilous waters ahead.

It could be worse. New Zealand could have Wales’ problems, for example.

But it is a crossroads of immense consequence for New Zealand Rugby. The Black Ferns have ceded their status as the dominant entity in the women’s game to England; the All Blacks’ aura and legacy continues to be eroded by performances that indicate the team is no longer the force it once was; the professional game is battling for the attention of a public who have other options in the entertainment sphere; and alarming results at schools and under-20 level in the male game indicate that someone might have taken their eye off the ball in the talent development area.

All Blacks coach Scott Robertson was sacked mid-World Cup cycle in an unprecedented move by NZ Rugby.

There is a lot to be concerned about, and Kirk, an inspired choice to lead the board after a somewhat unconvincing era, desperately needs some help.

First and foremost he must fill the All Blacks coaching vacancy he created (not without reason, it would appear). Close behind that he needs to bring on board a chief executive capable of addressing some concerning challenges facing the game. Both are pivotal appointments, and the clock is ticking on them without a lot in the way of glaring solutions appearing to be at hand.

First to the All Blacks situation. Tony Brown’s confirmation to The Post this week that he has no out-clause in his contract with South Africa, and has had no discussions on the vacant position with NZ Rugby, appears to rule him out. And maybe with him, Jamie Joseph.

South Africa assistant coach, and former All Black, Tony Brown says he has no out clause in his Boks deal.

Joseph, a single-minded, old-school type, has appeal as a quick-fix solution, but without the innovative, clever and engaging Brown by his side, does not present as the same ready-made answer. Joseph has been at his best when able to use the former All Blacks No 10 as his coaching foil, with the two appearing to bring the best out in each other.

Brown’s value and reputation as a coaching genius – the second coming of Wayne Smith, if you like – has been reinforced by the strides the Springboks have made in their attacking game with the Kiwi as part of Rassie Erasmus’ coaching setup. You would think NZ Rugby would have to write a very large cheque indeed to pry him loose from the best international rugby team on the planet.

So, if not Brown and/or Joseph, who? Joe Schmidt and Dave Rennie appear the next two most qualified contenders, though Schmidt’s situation is complicated by his commitments with Australian rugby through July. Rennie might be the best qualified to take over as a canny, credentialed type no doubt deeply motivated to prove the Aussies were wrong to cut him loose when they did. He’s currently plying his trade in Japan.

Whatever happens, it has to play out sooner rather than later. There is a coaching support crew to add – never an easy matter – and Robertson’s former group to deal with (does anybody stay? Jason Ryan, perhaps?). Plus the inaugural Nations Championship and ‘Greatest Rivalry’ tour to South Africa to prepare for.

Maybe Scott Roberton’s position was untenable – Kirk was certainly of that mind – but his dramatic, and unprecedented, axing has opened up another can of worms. Kirk acted without a succession plan in the works, and that has created its own angst.

Then there’s the chief executive spot. If ever NZ Rugby needed a visionary, inspirational type at the helm, it’s now. Instead they appear to be bereft of standout contenders to succeed the already departed Mark Robinson. High-achieving Kiwi business leaders appear reluctant to pitch in to a role carrying such heavy scrutiny for the package on offer, and the sporting sphere has thrown up no obvious contender.

It is too soon to declare a crisis. But that clock is ticking too.