Former England assistant coach John Mitchell was named new All Black coach by the New Zealand Rugby Football Union (NZRFU) today.
Mitchell replaces Wayne Smith, who resigned last month. Smith told the NZRFU he was unsure if he wanted to continue beyond his two-year contract which expires at the end of this year.
He then changed his mind and said he wanted to take the All Blacks through to the 2003 World Cup but the NZRFU opened the job up to applicants - with 22 lining up.
Mitchell was forwards coach for England manager Clive Woodward but returned to New Zealand to take up a coaching job with the Chiefs Super 12 franchise.
