Cotter didn’t slip into obscurity. But, for many New Zealanders, he remained off the radar. After being told by NZ Rugby that a lack of international coaching experience - Scott Robertson was given the same message when he missed out to Ian Foster in late 2019 - had counted him, Cotter continued earning his bread in France where he was coaching Clermont. That was until 2014, when he was appointed Scotland’s national coach. He remained there until 2017 before returning to France to take over the Montpellier club side. Next stop, New Zealand. Cotter had a farm waiting near Te Puke in the Bay of Plenty and last year began working as Fiji’s head coach.