Mitchell launches bid to regain All Blacks job

John Mitchell’s public campaign to be re-appointed All Blacks coach got underway this weekend as the New Zealand Rugby Union began advertising the position in national newspapers.

After New Zealand once again failed to live up to expectations and finished third at the recent Rugby World Cup, NZRFU chairman Jock Hobbs invited applications for the role of head coach.

When the announcement came, Mitchell admitted it was “hard to swallow” given he had won the Tri-Nations twice and regained the Bledisloe Cup.

But his determination remains undimmed and this weekend Mitchell used a rare television interview in New Zealand to outline his case for re-appointment.

“I am now in a contestable process and I have to go in and prove to the selection panel that I want to continue to coach the All Blacks,” he said.

“This team is one year old. I want to be part of maturing this group because all they need to do is become hardened.

“Apart from the semi-final loss we have made significant growth in the performance of this team. I am really passionate about coaching the All Blacks.”

Mitchell’s only rival at present appears to be former Wales and British Lions coach Graham Henry, known as a tactically astute coach.