Two former Bay of Plenty Steamer centurions have given Kiwi coaching duo Joe Schmidt and Vern Cotter the seal of approval amid rumours that the pair are plotting to coach the All Blacks in the future.

Speculation is rife in Europe after former Steamers No. 8 and centurion Paul Tupai claimed the test rivals are already plotting behind the scenes to pull off their 'ultimate goal” of forming a New Zealand coaching dream team.

Scotland coach Vern Cotter (left) and Ireland coach Joe Schmidt and are rumoured to eyeing the chance to team up again for a tilt at the All Blacks' top job.

Schmidt coaches the Irish national side while Cotter holds the reins at Scotland. The pair will meet for the very first time in this weekend's Six Nations final round.

Tupai, 40, was part of the Bay of Plenty's Ranfurly Shield win of 2004, which was masterminded by Schmidt and Cotter, and told the Press Association's Nick Purewal he believes the two Kiwis harbour a long-term wish to team up with the All Blacks once more.

'I don't really know how it works in New Zealand for that,” says Tupai. 'I assume you have to get in line and wait your chance.

'But there's no doubt they would want to be in that handful of coaches that will be getting the job at some point down the line.”

At 40-years-old, the former Samoa No. 8 is still playing overseas for Championship club Bedford Blues, and believes the pair deservedly fall into All Black coaching bracket given their impressive track record in New Zealand and abroad.

He adds: 'I wouldn't be surprised if they already have a plan to be fair, to try to get back there together. And they've definitely got to be up there.”

Bay of Plenty Steamers coach Clayton McMillan agrees with his former teammate, adding there is some history with coaches going overseas to 'cut their teeth” at international level before returning to New Zealand.

McMillan, who played alongside Tupai under the coaching duo in that historic 2004 season, says the pair's coaching records speaks for itself.

'They have obviously been extremely successful as a coaching team and as individuals since they have been in the Northern Hemisphere and here in the Bay of Plenty,” he says.

'For me personally, having watched their progress from a far, I have no doubt they would do a good job. But having said that, there are some local coaches wanting to put their hands up as well.”

Cotter, a former Bay No.8, took the reins with Scotland this season after a hugely successful stint with French giants Clermont Auvergne.

Schmidt joined Cotter in 2003 straight from teaching at Tauranga Boys' College, with the duo pulling off the province's first Ranfurly Shield victory in their one campaign together.

Following the success, Schmidt joined the Blues, while Cotter became forwards coach at the Crusaders.

Schmidt later joined Cotter's coaching staff at Clermont before enjoying his own trophy-laden stint with Leinster.

Current All Blacks boss Steve Hansen will see his contract expire in 2017, by which time Tupai believes his two former coaches could be ready to step up.

'They've gained a huge amount of respect in rugby circles right across the world for what they've achieved, and that carries a lot of clout I think,” says Tupai.