Ex-All Black with ‘unique skillset’ the latest addition to Scott Robertson’s backroom staff
Former All Blacks lock Bryn Evans in action for the Highlanders in 2021.
New Zealand Rugby have announced that Hurricanes assistant coach Bryn Evans is the latest addition to All Blacks boss Scott Robertson’s backroom staff.
He finished his playing career in the professional game in 2023 before going into coaching.
The 40-year-old initially represented Hawke’s Bay, the Blues and Hurricanes as a lock and also made two Test appearances as a replacement for the All Blacks in 2009.
Spent several seasons playing in Europe
Evans then spent several seasons in Europe, where he had successful spells with London Irish, Biarritz and Sale Sharks before returning to New Zealand in 2021 for a two-year stint at the Highlanders.
Following his retirement in 2023, Evans made the transition to coaching and soon made an impact as a coach as he was part of Hawke’s Bay’s coaching set-up during the 2023 National Provincial Championship (NPC) campaign in New Zealand.
He was subsequently added to the Hurricanes coaching staff as well where he has taken charge of the lineout and restarts.
His impressive work at NPC level with Hawke’s Bay and in Super Rugby Pacific with the Hurricanes has now been rewarded with his promotion to the All Blacks coaching ranks.
All Blacks forwards coach Jason Ryan has revealed that both he and Robertson have been impressed with Evans’ lineout recall and nous.
“He brings a unique skillset with his work with the Hurricanes and Hawke’s Bay,” Ryan said of Evans, who will join the All Blacks for their full 13-Test calendar before returning to the Hurricanes in 2025.
‘A broad range of experience’
“What I like is he’s got a lateral thinking ability about him. He’s an ex-lineout caller; he had 12-plus years playing in the UK and France, which gives him a broad range of experience and an understanding of the northern hemisphere approach.
“It’s going to be a good complement for us.
“Bryn brings a skillset that I haven’t got in terms of how they call lineouts, what pictures they see. We believe it’s a real point of difference having him and making sure our skills are dialled in and leading the way in that area.
“We believe having Bryn in this space, analysing us and the opposition, is just what we need.”
