John Mitchell has arguably the toughest coaching job there is, given the New Zealand public’s demand for success by their beloved All Blacks, but the former England assistant coach is not one to shirk a challenge.
The 39 year old, who succeeded Wayne Smith in October 2001 exactly a year to the day after he became Chiefs coach, has silenced his critics with a return to the strengths of All Black rugby and witnessed the rewards in this year’s Tri Nations.
Mitchell cut his teeth as a coach in England, graduating from the ranks of player to Director of Rugby at Sale Sharks with success to become Clive Woodward’s assistant with England in 1997, a position he held until quitting after the 2000 Six Nations.
The former No 8, who represented New Zealand Juniors at basketball before concentrating on the oval ball, played 134 games for Waikato with a record 86 of them as captain, winning the NPC title with them in 1992.
Mitchell, also a former London Wasps assistant coach, was selected for the All Black tour of Scotland and England in late 1993 and played in six midweek matches, captaining the team against a Scottish Development XV.