Former All Blacks assistant coach John Plumtree has found a new job in New Zealand after being axed from the international set-up following a run of poor results.

Plumtree, who was promoted to All Blacks forwards coach after one year with the Hurricanes, lasted just two years as part of Ian Foster’s backroom staff.

After the All Blacks’ poor run of form, which included five losses in six Test matches and a home series defeat by Ireland, Plumtree was jettisoned from the international set-up.

The 57-year-old and fellow assistant coach Brad Mooar were both axed from their jobs before the Rugby Championship opener against the Springboks in South Africa.

However, Plumtree has since joined NPC side Manawatū, helping head coach Peter Russell, and is doing so free of charge.

“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.”

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