Dave Rennie is not putting all his coaching eggs in the All Blacks basket for when his new Chiefs contract expires in 2017.
Steve Hansen's All Blacks contract also expires at the end of 2017 so there will be two prime vacancies arising at the same time.
Rennie has talked about a shift overseas both recently and in the past, but the All Blacks posting is something he would look at, rather than actively covet.
"You'd never say no [to considering it], but it's just coincidental with the timing," he said. "We'd been talking about adding two years on to my contract. Steve signing for a couple more years is probably coincidental but, ultimately, I'd love to go overseas at some stage."
Experiencing a different language and culture is also high on the agenda for Rennie and his wife Steph, so France and Japan could appeal as destinations.
Rennie admitted his decision to prolong his Chiefs tenure to six years (and no more) was not a complicated one and that he did not seriously consider a flood of overseas offers, unlike most top off-contract professional players in this country.
"It was an easy call. My wife and I have loved it here, so it's good to have a bit of clarity on where we are headed in the next couple of years. We've got a great bunch of people here."
The Chiefs do not seem short of the "good buggers" with whom Rennie loves to work.
"I didn't really chase too much, because I'd been talking to those concerned [the Chiefs and New Zealand Rugby] for the last four to five months."
Chiefs chief executive Andrew Flexman was more than happy to endorse the re-signing of the man who guided the franchise to their first two titles in 2012-13.
"With Dave re-signing to 2017, it provides great continuity for our club, players, fans and stakeholders. Dave is a great man who has made a big difference to our organisation since he joined in 2012 and we have absolute confidence he will continue to drive strong results for the Chiefs."
No decision has been made on the make-up of Rennie's coaching staff from 2016, with Wayne Smith rejoining the All Blacks and Tom Coventry London Irish-bound. Assistants Andrew Strawbridge and Carl Hoeft, both highly rated as coaches, are options to promote.
Rennie is not panicking yet, but a raft of injuries have depleted the squad he will put out for tonight's first pre-season hitout against the Blues at Whangarei's Toll Stadium.
They are already without most of their current All Blacks, most of whom will return for the February 14 opener against the Blues, but they're also missing from the pack Hika Elliot, Matt Symons, Mike FitzGerald, James Tucker, Liam Squire and Ben Afeaki.
Wing Hosea Gear flew in from Japan yesterday, and will likely play in next Friday's match against the Waratahs in Sydney. Sonny Bill Williams, should he emerge unscathed from his latest pugilistic foray this weekend, will see game time on February 6 with new Chiefs All Black, halfback Augustine Pulu.
- By Campbell Burnes
