Jason Holland will become an All Blacks assistant coach from 2024.
The 50-year-old father of two was appointed following months of speculation around Head Coach Scott Robertson’s key appointments to his coaching and management team, officially taking up his new role following the conclusion of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
New Zealand Rugby (NZR) has today announced the four coaches, including Holland, who will assist Scott Robertson when he becomes All Blacks Head Coach after the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Joining current All Blacks assistant coach, Jason Ryan, is Holland, Leon MacDonald and Scott Hansen, with the group to take up their respective roles in 2024.
Current Blues Head Coach MacDonald will lead the attack with assistance from Holland, while Crusaders Assistant Coach Hansen will be in charge of defence. Nic Gill, who has been a key part of the All Blacks management group since 2008, will stay on as Head of Performance, leading the Health and Performance team.
Holland said: “It’s pretty humbling to be asked to contribute to the All Blacks legacy. It’s something every New Zealand coach aspires to, so it is an exciting challenge.
"I’ve known Razor for a long time and I’m looking forward to continuing that relationship in 2024.
"In the meantime, though, I have a job to do, and I’ll be putting everything into the Hurricanes Super Rugby Pacific campaign,” said Holland.
Hurricanes Chief Executive Officer, Avan Lee, said he was thrilled for Holland.
“We’re thrilled for Alfie and his appointment with the All Blacks. He has been extremely important to the Hurricanes over the last 8 years, so although we’re sad to see him go, we’re really proud of him. There is no doubt that Alfie will make a big impression on the All Blacks,” said Lee.
The former Manawatū and Taranaki representative enjoyed a successful playing career in New Zealand before he made 102 appearances for top Irish club, Munster, between 1999 and 2008.
His coaching career started in Munster before he returned to New Zealand where he was an assistant at Canterbury before moving to the Hurricanes, underneath then Head Coach, Chris Boyd. Holland was promoted to Hurricanes head coach after John Plumtree’s elevation to the All Blacks coaching team in 2019.
NZR Chief Executive Mark Robinson said:
“We are pleased to have secured four talented and experienced coaches to guide the All Blacks into 2024 and beyond. All four have proven themselves as successful and skilled mentors in their respective Super Rugby environments and in some cases overseas.
“As we announce this group, I would also like to acknowledge the current All Blacks coaching group who will guide the team through 2023, and who have the full backing and support of NZ Rugby as they build toward the Rugby World Cup in France.
“We believe it was important to announce this group now to allow the four appointed assistant coaches to focus on their Super Rugby Pacific commitments this season, and to allow their organisations to progress their planning for 2024.”
Robertson said he was pleased to have his coaching group locked in.
“I’ve known Jason [Ryan], Leon, Scott, Alfie [Holland] and Gilly for a long time and worked with them all at times during my playing and coaching career. They are a highly talented and motivated group who will bring different strengths to the table and who share a similar philosophy on the game.
“Like myself with the Crusaders, I know they all have important work to do in 2023 and their main focus will be on their current job in hand, but we will be ready to go from 2024.”
BIO - Jason Holland
Holland has been Head Coach of the Hurricanes in Super Rugby Pacific since 2020. Previously he was the Hurricanes Assistant Coach (2015-19) and held the same role at Canterbury (2012-15). His coaching career began as Backs Coach with Munster in Ireland where he represented the club 102 times between 1999-2008 winning two Heineken Cup finals and earning a cap for Ireland A. Primarily a first-five, he played 65 matches for Manawatū and 23 for Taranaki before heading offshore.