Recently departed All Blacks assistant coach Jason Holland is returning to coaching with the Hurricanes in next year’s Super Rugby Pacific campaign.
On the eve of the All Blacks’ end-of-year tour, Holland announced he would be finishing his work with the national side at the end of the year.
Hewill take on an assistant’s role in the Hurricanes’ set-up. Holland was previously an assistant coach from 2016 to 2019, then head coach from 2020 to 2023.
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.”
During his initial stint with the Hurricanes, Holland was part of the coaching group that delivered the Canes their sole Super Rugby title in 2016.
Prior to his involvement with the Hurricanes, Holland enjoyed a successful period as Munster assistant coach, claiming a Heineken Cup, two Celtic League titles and a British and Irish Cup between 2008 and 2012, before winning the 2013 NPC as a Canterbury assistant coach.
As a player, Holland represented both Manawatū and Taranaki in the NPC before making more than 100 appearances for Munster.
In a career that spanned 15 seasons, Holland won the Heineken Cup, Celtic League and Celtic Cup as a first five-eighths and midfielder for Munster, and played one match for Ireland A in 2001.
All Blacks coaching staff at the announcement of the first squad in 2024 (from left): Jason Ryan, Jason Holland, Scott Robertson, Scott Hansen and Leon MacDonald. Photo / Photosport
“We’re hugely excited to have Alfie [Holland] return to the club and assist us for the season ahead,” Laidlaw said.
“He obviously has a wealth of experience, not only at the Hurricanes as a head coach and attack coach, but also in the last couple of years with the All Blacks.
“We feel that, with his experience and ability and knowledge to help us with our attacking game, he’ll be a huge asset.”
Laidlaw added that with an increased squad, as well as Holland’s experience and availability, it made sense to bring him back to the club.
“With the squad going up to 50 players during pre-season, we were looking for a coach to come in and help,” he said.
“The timing and opportunity for Alfie to come in, and his excitement and enthusiasm for the role, was too good to miss.
“For me as the head coach, having someone who has been a head coach of a Super Rugby club and understands the demands of that, gives us a real second pair of eyes around our environment week-to-week.
“We’re massively excited and really enjoyed welcoming him back to the club, and look forward to building our relationship within our coaching team through pre-season to assist the players.”
