Wellington Hurricanes coach John Plumtree has been named as an assistant to new All Blacks coach Ian Foster in a coaching group alongside Greg Feek and Scott McLeod, New Zealand Rugby (NZR) said on Thursday.
Plumtree will be replaced at the Hurricanes by his assistant Jason Holland, with former All Blacks winger Cory Jane joining the side as defence coach, the Super Rugby team said.
"I'm delighted to confirm three of the four other coaches who'll make up our coaching team," Foster said in a statement.
"They're all outstanding coaches in their own right, and we'll have new voices and fresh ideas in the All Blacks."
NZR said one more coach was expected to be added to Foster's group, with Brad Mooar widely tipped by New Zealand and British media to cut short his contract with Welsh club Scarlets and return home.
RUMOUR: Brad Mooar is rumored to be joining the New Zealand All Black coaching team. Picture: John Davidson.
Plumtree's move from the Hurricanes had been widely expected and the team's chief executive Avan Lee said they would likely promote from within if Foster was appointed as All Blacks coach and took Plumtree with him.
"We are delighted that Jason Holland will be our new head coach," Lee said on Thursday. "I know he will continue to strive for success and produce the exciting brand of rugby our loyal fans enjoy."
Former All Blacks prop Feek has returned home from almost a decade in Ireland where he was scrum coach for Leinster and then the national side under fellow New Zealander Joe Schmidt.
MAIN MAN: New Zealand boss Ian Foster is forming a formidable coaching team. Picture: Henry Browne/Reuters.
"Greg has been involved in more than 100 tests with Ireland and helped coach a successful Irish pack," Foster said.
"For a young coach, he brings vast international experience. He's got a great 'tactical-technical' sense and also a great way of communicating at the right level."
McLeod, who worked alongside Foster as an assistant to former All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen, will continue as defence coach, a job he has held for the last two years.
📽️ WATCH | Hear from new All Blacks coaches John Plumtree & Greg Feek as they fronted the media at the Manukau Rovers Rugby club in Auckland today. We also caught up with Defence Coach Scott McLeod & selector Grant Fox. pic.twitter.com/gjhpuk67xA
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) December 19, 2019
Former All Blacks flyhalf Grant Fox is to continue as a selector in 2020 despite having said he was likely to step down.
All the coaching group have been given two-year contracts.
Reuters