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Last Men Standing: Blackcaps coaching race down to two as Stead drops out of contention
Alex Chapman • May 30th, 2025 9:30 am
Shane Bond | Photo: Photosport
And then there were two.
Initial interviews have concluded for the Blackcaps head coach role, with the panel settling on two candidates and a final decision expected as soon as next week.
Sport Nation can reveal former Blackcaps fast bowler Shane Bond and experienced coach Rob Walter have been shortlisted by the appointments panel.
The panel consists of New Zealand Cricket CEO Scott Weenink, board members Dion Nash and Roger Twose, with test captain Tom Latham and experienced allrounder Daryl Mitchell the player representatives.
It’s understood Bond and Walter are in contention for an overarching or all formats head coach role, meaning current coach Gary Stead won’t return when his contract is up.
Last month, Stead confirmed he’ll step away from coaching the Blackcaps white-ball sides and would take time to reflect on whether he wants to reapply for the role of test coach when his current contract expires in June.
It’s unclear what his final decision was, however he wasn’t one of the final four applicants who were interviewed for the position.
Rob Walter | Photo: Photosport
Also excluded from the interview stage was Canterbury coach Peter Fulton.
Fulton, who spent time as Blackcaps batting coach after the 2019 World Cup, won the Plunket Shield with the red and blacks in 2020/21, and lifted the Ford Trophy in the same season, before doing so again in 2023/24, and defending it last season. Canterbury has also made five consecutive Super Smash finals during his tenure.
It’s understood that alongside Bond and Walter, current Blackcaps batting coach Luke Ronchi, and former bowling coach turned Wellington mentor Shane Jurgensen were also interviewed.
As first reported by Sport Nation earlier this month, former Australian fast bowler Jason Gillespie didn’t apply for the New Zealand role, nor did Blackcaps legend Daniel Vettori, despite the latter being approached by NZC.
Could Shane Bond be the best fit for the Blackcaps coaching role? | Sport Nation Mornings
Players Sport Nation have spoken to have suggested their preference would be for Walter to get the job, given his understanding of the domestic game, and experience here and around the world as a head coach.
Earlier this month, one source described Walter as “the standout guy however you look at it.” with another saying he’s a "perfect head coach” and "the most comparable to Mike Hesson and Gary Stead."
Walter was most recently coach of the white-ball teams of his native South Africa. But the travel to and from New Zealand is believed to have taken a serious toll, resulting in him stepping down two years into a four-year term.
Described as “Kiwi as anything”, Walter has a young family who, along with his wife, stayed in Aotearoa during that time.
Shane Bond with the Blackcaps | Photo: Andrew Cornaga/Photosport
Walter’s coaching experience is vast, leading sides both in NZ and abroad.
In 2016, he moved to New Zealand to take charge of the Otago men’s team, before shifting to the Central Stags in 2021. Before heading to New Zealand, Walter oversaw the Titans in South Africa’s domestic competition, which was his first time in the role after being South Africa’s strength and conditioning and fielding coach between 2009 and 2013. He’s also spent time in the IPL with the Delhi Daredevils and the now-defunct Pune Warriors.
Bond, meanwhile, is one of the fastest bowlers New Zealand’s produced, though also one of the great “what if’s”.
The Cantab’s career was cruelly cut short by several back injuries, while time out of the game due to the controversial Indian Cricket League also meant he only played 18 tests, taking 87 wickets at an average of 22.09, with five five-wicket bags and a 10-wicket haul, while in ODI cricket, he captured 147 scalps at 20.88.
Uncertainty around Blackcaps coaching roles | Ric & Chappy
As one source pointed out “he’s a hero to a few of the current crop.”
Bond was Blackcaps bowling coach from 2012 until after the 2015 World Cup and is currently in the same role with IPL side the Rajasthan Royals. He was head coach of Big Bash team the Sydney Thunder and SA20 franchise the Paarl Royals, and has had other various coaching roles around the world.
For those who will and have missed out on the role, there is a potential opportunity at domestic level, should they wish to take it.
Former Australian international Ashley Nofke has been appointed as bowling coach of Pakistan, leaving his role with the Volts after one season.
Former Australian international Ashley Nofke has been appointed as bowling coach of Pakistan, leaving his role with the Volts after one season.
Nofke will work alongside former Blackcaps coach Mike Hesson, who earlier this month was named as bowling coach of Pakistan.
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