Coaches confirmed for North Island and South Island teams
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All Blacks assistant coach Brad Mooar has today confirmed the coaches for the North and South Island teams who will go head-to-head in a clash that will double up as an All Blacks trial.
Mooar has revealed that John Plumtree and Scott McLeod will coach the North while Greg Feek and Mooar coach the South.
The clash is set to take place on August 29, a fortnight after the final round of Super Rugby Aotearoa.
Plumtree's taste of international rugby includes working as a forwards coach with Ireland before joining the Hurricanes in 2015.
The Taranaki-born and raised Plumtree became key member of the Hurricanes coaching staff before joining Japan on a short term basis as a defence coach.
In March 2018, The Hurricanes and New Zealand Rugby announced that Plumtree would take the Head Coach role for the 2019 Super Rugby season. His only season as the Hurricanes head coach saw the side reach the Super Rugby semi-final where they were beaten by eventual champions the Crusaders.
After the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan, Plumtree joined the new All Blacks coaching team under Ian Foster as the side's Forward's coach.
Former All Blacks midfielder turned coach, Scott McLeod joined the All Blacks coaching staff in 2017 after a successful role with the Highlanders, during which they won their maiden Super Rugby title in 2015.
After eight years playing in Japan, he returned to New Zealand as Assistant Coach for Waikato (2008-2012) and the Chiefs (2008-2011) He also coached the New Zealand Under 20 in 2012.
The North v South rivalry has been neglected in recent years, only taking place twice since 1985, the last of which took place in 2012 with the South winning 32–24.
All Blacks' coach Ian Foster has all but confirmed the clash will go ahead, we take a look at how the two sides could line up with the Barrett brothers going head to head 👊https://t.co/EoflIkJQP6
— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) June 27, 2020