He's now Australia's top coach but Robbie Deans could still be New Zealand's coach of year.
The former Crusaders coach, who's now in charge of the Wallabies, is one of four finalists for coach of the year in the New Zealalnd rugby union's annual awards, which will be held in Auckland next month.
All Blacks coach Graham Henry, Canterbury's Rob Penney and Wanganui's Guy Lennox are the other nominees.
Three players are in line for player of the year All Blacks and Crusaders captain Richie McCaw, Hurricanes and All Black hooker Andrew Hore and the Highlanders Paul Williams.
The team of year finalists are the All Blacks who won the tri nations and Bledisloe Cup, Super 14 winners the Crusaders, Air New Zealand cup winners Canterbury and Meads Cup winner Wanganui.
The finalists for provincial player of the year are Wellington's Hosea Gear, Southland's Jamie Mackintosh and Canterbury's Kieran Read.
While Canterbury's Olivia Coady and the Auckland pair of Victoria Grant and Victoria Heighway are in line for the women's player of the year.
