The New Zealand men’s team has named Rob Walter, a former South Africa white-ball coach, as its new head coach for all formats. The 49-year-old will officially assume leadership in mid-June after agreeing to a three-year contract. Gary Stead has been the head coach since 2018. The July tour of Zimbabwe by New Zealand will be Walter’s first duty.
Notably, Stead led the Black Caps to the first-ever World Test Championship title in 2021 during his successful tenure with the team. However, a new face took up the duties after Stead resigned from his white-ball positions earlier this year and New Zealand Cricket (NZC) decided to use a different coaching style. Walter, meanwhile, was the front-runner and has a wealth of experience playing cricket both domestically and internationally.
Walter stayed in New Zealand, specifically Hawke’s Bay, where his family resides, even though he had been coaching South Africa’s white-ball teams for the previous two years, helping them to the 2023 ODI World Cup semi-finals, the 2024 T20 World Cup final, and the 2025 Champions Trophy semi-finals. His connections to local cricket in New Zealand, notably his productive time at the Central Stags and Otago Volts, bolstered his selection argument.
“It’s a true honour to be given the opportunity to build on the Blackcaps’ longstanding success and reputation as a top team in the globe. Working with such a talented group of players and support staff during a time when so many international events and significant bilateral series will be fought is an incredible opportunity. I simply can’t wait to begin.
ESPNcricinfo cited Rob Walter as saying, “It’s thrilling, it’s difficult, and the opportunity is huge for everyone.”
He led Central Stags to the Ford Trophy and Plunket Shield championships in 2022–2023 and led Otago to the Super Smash playoffs in 2019–20 at the domestic level in New Zealand. He later made South Africa one of the reliable sides in recent ICC competitions on the international front. In addition, he has coached New Zealand A and served as an assistant in the IPL with the Delhi Daredevils (now the Delhi Capitals) and Pune Warriors.
Scott Weenink, the CEO of NZC, spoke candidly about the appointment.
“Rob has an exceptional background and is a top-tier coach. He is the perfect contender to lead the Blackcaps because of his accomplishments in the home game for New Zealand and his recent successes with South Africa on the international scene. Weenink added, “We are thrilled to have Rob return home to lead our squad during an exciting and demanding time, which includes three significant ICC events.
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