Razor gets some sharp edges for All Black panel
Incoming All Blacks coach Scott Robertson will keep forwards coach Jason Ryan on after this year’s World Cup, compiling a Crusaders-stacked staff as his New Zealand assistants.
Robertson, who will take over from Ian Foster after this year’s tournament in France, announced his four-man coaching assembly on Wednesday.
Ryan is the only coach in the current brigade to be retained, reviving their partnership at the Crusaders before he left to join the All Blacks staff last year.
Robertson has named his current Crusaders right-hand man Scott Hansen as defence coach and former teammate Leon MacDonald, who is the current coach at fellow Super Rugby Pacific outfit the Blues.
The odd man out is Hurricanes coach Jason Holland, who will assist MacDonald as an attack coach.
Nic Gill, a key part of the All Blacks management group since 2008, will stay on as Head of Performance.
“I’ve known Jason, Leon, Scott, Alfie [Holland] and Gilly for a long time and worked with them all at times during my playing and coaching career,” Robertson said in a New Zealand Rugby statement.
“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.”
New Zealand Rugby Union Chief Executive Mark Robinson said they 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 New Zealand’s Rugby as they build toward the 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.”
What they said
Ryan said: “Any role coaching the All Blacks is a huge honour and for as long as I have the opportunity to contribute to the legacy, I will do that to the best of my ability. My full focus right now is World Cup, but I look forward to continuing the journey in 2024 and beyond.”
MacDonald said: “The All Blacks were the ultimate for me as a player and nothing has changed as a coach. It’s an honour to be asked to join the coaching team and once my Blues commitments are complete, I look forward to starting a new chapter with a talented group of coaches.”
Hansen said: “I with my whanau feel tremendously proud and privileged to be part of the All Blacks organisation and this coaching team for next year and beyond. I am excited for this new adventure, and the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead. I look forward to supporting Scott Robertson in adding to the legacy of the All Blacks, while also forging strong relationships with our coaches, management, players and NZRU staff.
“To coach and serve any player that aspires to be their best is one of my most rewarding experiences, to now be able to do this within the All Blacks environment for me is an honour. I wish Ian Foster, Sam Cane, the All Blacks players, coaching and management staff all the very best for what we all believe will be a successful 2023 season. My immediate focus and energy now continue to be with the Crusaders for this season.”
Holland said: “It’s pretty humbling to be asked to contribute to the All Blacks legacy and 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, I’ll be putting everything into the Hurricanes Super Rugby Pacific campaign.”
Gill said: “I’ve been extremely privileged to be in my role and work with the All Blacks. It’s exciting to carry on in 2024, but I’m fully focused right now on the World Cup and the here and now.”
