John Plumtree takes up mentor role with Manawatu

Former New Zealand backroom staff John Plumtree has resumed his coaching duty after joining National Provincial Championship club Manawatu on a mentor role.

The 57-year-old was recently sacked by New Zealand Rugby following the team's defeat to South Africa in the opening round of the Rugby Championship. He joined the coaching group of the All Blacks in 2020 when Ian Foster took in charge from Steve Hansen.

Manawatu head coach Peter Russell revealed that Plumtree has offered to take the role without any charge and is hopeful of him joining them on a permanent basis.

“He reached out to me to see if he could have a hand in taking the distraction away of the last two or three weeks,” Russell told Stuff.

“He wanted to get back on the grass and get coaching, because that’s his passion. I’d be bloody stupid if I didn’t (take up his offer).

“That’s what you do as coaches. I’ve been through that before. You don’t sit at home in self-pity, you’ve just got to deal with it, and the only way to deal with it is get back on the horse again, no matter what level you get to.

“It’s a real positive for us, and for our level of rugby, that we have someone like him coming back into our environment.

“He’s also thankful for the opportunity. He just wants to coach. He just wants to keep going and support where he can. It’s fantastic.”