TRANSFER TRACKER: Hurricanes lure their coach back to Wellington
TRANSFER NEWS: The Hurricanes announced the return of former coach Jason Holland to the franchise, ahead of the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific campaign.
Previously a Hurricanes assistant coach from 2016 to 2019, and then head coach from 2020 to 2023, Holland will bolster the coaching staff as he reprises his role as an assistant for next season.
Led by head coach Clark Laidlaw, Holland joins a coaching team that includes fellow assistants Jamie Mackintosh, Cory Jane, Brad Cooper, and Bryn Evans.
“I’m hugely grateful and excited by the opportunity to be back at the Hurricanes,” Holland said.
“It’s been awesome working alongside a great group of staff and players in the first few days since I’ve been back. They’ve created an exciting brand of Hurricanes rugby, so I’m expecting the upcoming season to be a lot of fun.”
* Meanwhile, Cardiff confirmed that fullback Leigh Halfpenny is now fit and available for selection after completing his rehabilitation.
The legendary No.15 signed a short-term contract at the start of the season, initially as a kicking coach, with the intention of also returning to play.
Now, after overcoming the calf injury, Halfpenny has signed a new contract to continue at Cardiff Arms Park as a player-coach.
Halfpenny has joined the squad as a travelling reserve in recent weeks and has now been declared available for Saturday night’s Challenge Cup clash with Ulster.
Cardiff coach, Corniel van Zyl, said: “Leigh has obviously spent time helping our kickers and young full-backs during the past two months but has also worked hard to get himself back fit and available for selection.
“We are blessed to have some quality full-backs at the club, but to add Leigh’s experience to the mix is brilliant. He continues to help the young players daily and gives us another option and further competition.”
During his previous seven years at Cardiff, Halfpenny made 87 appearances, scoring 568 points.
The 36-year-old won both the Amlin Challenge Cup and Anglo-Welsh Cup during that time, while establishing himself as one of the game’s biggest stars.
In an illustrious career, Halfpenny has won 101 Wales caps, appeared in four Lions Test matches, and won the Champions Cup during his time with Toulon.
- Saracens have made a big transfer statement by announcing the signing of England forward George Martin from Leicester. The 24-year-old will join Sarries ahead of the start of next season.
