Outgoing All Blacks coach’s next move confirmed while Eddie Jones’ future decided
New Hurricanes assistant coach Jason Holland and Japan head coach Eddie Jones (inset).
Outgoing All Blacks assistant coach Jason Holland’s next move has been revealed after the Hurricanes confirmed that he will return to take up a similar role with them.
Holland concluded his involvement with the All Blacks after opting not to extend his contract beyond the recent November internationals.
The 53-year-old, who previously worked as an assistant coach for the Wellington-based outfit from 2016 to 2019 and then head coach from 2020 to 2023, will return to his old club to work as one of current Hurricanes boss Clark Laidlaw’s assistants.
Apart from Laidlaw, Holland will join the Hurricanes coaching staff which consists of 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,” said Holland. “It’s been awesome working alongside a great group of staff and players in the first few days since I’ve been back.
‘Expecting the upcoming season to be a lot of fun’
“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 head coach Chris Boyd’s backroom staff that delivered the club its only Super Rugby title in 2016.
Prior to joining the Hurricanes coaching staff in 2016, Holland had a successful stint as assistant coach with Irish provincial outfit Munster, winning a Heineken Cup, two Celtic League titles and a British & Irish Cup between 2008 and 2012 and he also won the New Zealand’s NPC as a Canterbury assistant coach in 2013.
As a player, Holland represented both Manawatū and Taranaki in the NPC before making more than 100 appearances for Munster.
He also had a successful playing career spanning 15 seasons, winning the Heineken Cup, Celtic League, and Celtic Cup as a fly-half and midfielder for Munster, and played one match for Ireland A in 2001.
“We’re hugely excited to have Alfie return to the club and assist us for the season ahead,” said Hurricanes head coach Laidlaw.
“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 was an easy decision to bring him back to the Hurricanes.
“With the squad going up to 50 players during pre-season, we were looking for a coach to come in and help,” Laidlaw 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.”
Vote of confidence for Eddie Jones
Meanwhile, Japan head coach Eddie Jones has received a vote of confidence from the Japan Rugby Football Union (JRFU), who have decided to retain his services until the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
This, after the 65-year-old survived a performance review despite a mixed second year back in charge of the Brave Blossoms.
JRFU chairman Kensuke Iwabuchi revealed that there were “various discussions” held after an executive board meeting on Wednesday, before deciding to retain the experienced Australian coach’s services.
“We confirmed that we will continue to support the current structure,” said Iwabuchi.
“We will support them so that they can move towards the World Cup in a good way.”
In July, Japan’s two-Test series on home soil against Wales finished as a 1-1 draw before they competed in the Pacific Nations Cup in Salt Lake City and they eventually suffered a narrow defeat to Fiji in the final of that competition.
During the Autumn Nations Series, the Brave Blossoms suffered defeats against South Africa (61-7), Ireland (41-10) and Wales (24-23) before beating Georgia (25-23) thanks to a last-minute penalty.
Japan finished the year with six losses and five victories and Iwabuchi said the team had improved under Jones after they suffered huge defeats against New Zealand, England and France in 2024.
“There were various discussions but there was a lot of praise for the way the team had grown and matured from 2024 into 2025,” he said.
The Brave Blossoms were drawn in Pool E, alongside France, USA, Samoa for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
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