The Highlanders plan to name the next member of their coaching staff next week.
Head coach Clarke Dermody has just skills coach Riki Flutey — on deck as an assistant with Otago at the moment — and new mentor Chris Boyd on his staff for now.
Another assistant coach would be named next week, Highlanders chief executive Roger Clark said yesterday. There had been no delay to the process.
In fact, Clark said, the club had confirmed its full coaching team and would be making public announcements "as individual circumstances allow".
The favourite for one of the spots beside Dermody is Otago coach and former Highlanders lock Tom Donnelly. His work with Otago and the New Zealand colts, and his expertise in areas like the lineout, appear to make Donnelly the obvious appointment if he and his former team are both keen.
The Otago Daily Times understands former Kobe Steelers coach Dave Dillon is — or was — a contender for the role of defence coach with the Highlanders.
Dillon, the former Bay of Plenty flanker won the Top League in Japan in 2018 with Kobe, where he coached alongside the late Steve Cumberland.
Clark said the Highlanders would not be commenting on any speculation about the coaching roles.
