All Blacks coach Dave Rennie laughed off suggestions that Mike Blair could be a future Scotland head coach, despite delivering a glowing assessment of his assistant’s coaching ability.
Blair, who won 85 caps for Scotland during his 10-year Test career, is part of Rennie’s New Zealand coaching staff and previously worked alongside him at Glasgow Warriors and in Japan with Kobe Steelers.
Asked whether Blair could eventually take charge of Scotland, Rennie joked: "No chance!".
The former Warriors boss added: "He's a top man, Mike.
"There's a reason I brought him to New Zealand. I've worked a lot with him a couple of years here at Glasgow before he went to the national team for the World Cup and then three years in Kobe. He's got a great understanding.
“His ability to micro-skill things from a decision-making perspective and really innovative around how he delivers that, whether it's at a meeting or on the grass. He's been excellent. Made a really big impression with the boys as well.
"He's been great. We're very happy to have him in our camp.”
Rennie and Blair were back reminiscing about their time with Glasgow at an event in Edinburgh on Wednesday night.
Rennie took over as head coach at Scotstoun following Gregor Townsend’s promotion to the Scotland job, and led the club to the 2019 Pro14 final at Celtic Park before leaving during the Covid-19 pandemic to become Australia boss.
Blair, meanwhile, represented the Warriors as both a player and coach.
Speaking to the media after naming the All Blacks side for Saturday's clash at Murrayfield, Rennie said it was great to be able to reflect on his Glasgow tenure.
"I had three great years here, loved it," he said.
“I had a bit of a Q&A with Ryan Wilson last night and Mike Blair.
“We did a thing for a lot of the Glasgow sponsors and so on, and it was really good just to see a lot of staff and a number of the players, ex-players, turned up. We loved our time here, great people. It's nice to be back.”
Rennie also had warm words for Scotland wing Kyle Steyn, whom he handed his first opportunity with the Warriors.
Steyn has since gone on to become a firm fans' favourite and cemented himself in club history by leading the side to the United Rugby Championship title in 2024.
"He's been an excellent player for a long time," Rennie said.
“I don't know if you guys remember, but when he first arrived, we played him in midfield ahead of some Scottish internationals and he was outstanding for us.
“He's such a good man, I know, with him and Sione, they're probably helping each other out from a Glasgow and a Scottish perspective. He's been a really impressive Kyle.
"It's been nice to sit back and look from afar at a number of those guys who he had at Glasgow to kick on."
Rennie joked he would not be extending his well-wishes for this weekend as he aims to avoid becoming the first All Blacks boss to lose to Scotland at Test level.
The last four meetings have all been closely fought, with three decided by eight points and another by just five points.
Rennie is expecting another tough battle on Saturday.
“We play a pretty similar type of game. Obviously, I know a fair bit about their coaches and about the players, and so they've been excellent at Murrayfield.
"The last four games between the All Blacks and Scotland have been really tight, and last year the boys were able to pull it out of the fire.
"We're well aware of the quality of the side and the performance required to beat them on the weekend.”
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