Paul Tupai tips Joe Schmidt and Vern Cotter as New Zealand dream team

Test rivals Joe Schmidt and Vern Cotter are already plotting behind the scenes to pull off their “ultimate goal” of forming a New Zealand coaching dream team, according to Paul Tupai.

Former Samoa number eight Tupai underpinned Bay of Plenty’s Ranfurly Shield win of 2004 that put Schmidt and Cotter on the coaching map, and 11 years on, he believes the two Kiwis harbour a private long-term plan to team up again with the All Blacks.

Tupai still churns out quality performances with Championship club Bedford Blues aged 40, but will forever rate taking the Ranfurly Shield off Auckland among his finest moments in more than two decades of rugby.