Ian Foster is expected to be confirmed as coach of the All Blacks today.
Foster and Cane Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Foster is contracted through until next year's World Cup, but has come under increasing pressure to hold onto his job following the series loss to Ireland.
Foster met with New Zealand Rugby officials this week and RNZ understands the board has backed him and that will be officially announced today.
The All Blacks squad for the Rugby Championship was due to be released this week.
The Otago Daily Times is reporting that former Ireland coach Joe Schmidt will have a greater role in the camp.
New Zealander Schmidt worked on a part time basis with the Blues this year and was set to replace Grant Fox as All Blacks selector.
That may result in a reshuffle of the assistant coaching staff which consists of John Plumtree (forwards), Greg Feek (scrum), Brad Mooar (attack) and Scott McLeod (defence).
The ODT is also reporting that Sam Cane could be dropped as captain to be replaced by Sam Whitelock.
Cane has captained the All Blacks 13 times and Whitelock 14 times.
Former All Black Ant Strachan said the timing for a review and changes was "off" as far as rugby was concerned with the All Blacks about to travel to South Africa for two tough tests against the Springboks.
If Schmidt's duties were expanded he would add value within the All Black camp.
"He is an absolute student of the game, he is very smart, he is articulate, he's a perfectionist and he really does understand rugby ... if he goes into an elevated role and Ian Foster is not pushed to the side but has a lesser role it kind of looks a bit funny from a leadership perspective."
Strachan told Morning Report there may be further coaching changes after the South African trip but it would be critical that the All Blacks produced some improved performances against the Springboks.
"He [Joe Schmidt] is an absolute student of the game, he is very smart" - Former All Black Ant Strachan
So far as speculation around Cane was concerned, Strachan said he was an "old-style 7" whose strength was in his physicality but it was being undermined by the doubts over whether he should be captain.
"If you start losing confidence in your captain to play every week and also to lead effectively then maybe a change is warranted but he is still a very good footballer."
While main rival Whitelock has captained the All Blacks on many occasions, there were doubts on his durability through to the end of next year's Rugby World Cup in France, Strachan said.
Hurricanes captain Ardie Savea was another contender but Strachan wanted the decision made as quickly as possible.
"Whoever it is they're going to have to work that out pretty quickly and make that decision and back that person all the way through because you can't keep chopping your captain."
Sam Cane at the front of a group of All Blacks. Photo: Photosport
Former New Zealand Sevens, Māori All Black and All Black Dallas Seymour has backed Foster to stay on as head coach but believes Cane should be replaced as captain.
He said NZR appointed Foster so it needed to support him both publicly and behind the scenes.
Seymour was confident that if there were things within the All Blacks' camp that could not be fixed under the current coaches, Foster would step away.
Cane's form did not justify him being selected for the team and it might be valuable for him to have a break from the game at international level, Seymour said.
"He probably hasn't performed to the level that he needs to be to be a captain perhaps and it might be a good thing to let him go back and just concentrate on his game and set some other leadership into place..."
A break would give Cane the chance to recapture the form he was capable of.
Seymour favoured Whitelock taking over the captain's job, leaving Savea to operate at his best as a player.
The All Blacks' first game in the Rugby Championship is against South Africa in on 7 August in Mbombela.