Manu Samoa coach John Boe is focused solely on Rugby World Cup 2003, but beyond that his future is somewhat uncertain with his contract with the New Zealand RFU due to end this year.
The New Zealander, who turns 48 the day after the showpiece finishes, was initially ‘loaned’ to Manu Samoa for the 2000 Pacific Rim tournament, which he won, and has guided them through their Rugby World Cup qualifying campaign.
Boe has been on the NZRFU coaching staff for more than a decade, working with the Waikato Colts before coaching the province’s senior team from 1995 to 1998, when they reached the NPC final and defended the Ranfurly Shield for the entire season.
The following year Boe, who also won the Ranfurly Shield as a player with Waikato, was given responsibility for the New Zealand Under 19 team and immediately repaid that faith by winning the World Cup.
Initially a centre before switching to fly half, Boe played 137 games for Waikato and captained the province for two seasons. He toured France with the All Blacks in 1981 and, while he did not make the Test team, did play in two midweek games.