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New Zealand Rugby (NZR) has announced the four coaches who will assist Scott Robertson when he becomes All Blacks head coach after the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Robertson will replace Ian Foster after the tournament in France and one of the incumbents – Jason Ryan – will survive under Razor.
Ryan, the ABs’ forwards coach, is joined by Leon MacDonald, Jason Holland and Scott Hansen.
Ryan joined mid last year after the sacking of assistants John Plumtree and Brad Mooar in the wake of the home series loss to Ireland. He was Robertson’s right-hand man and forwards coach at the Crusaders from 2017 until his call up by the ABs.
As expected, there was no place in the new structure for Joe Schmidt, while scrum coach and former All Blacks prop Greg Feek also misses out.
Current Blues head coach MacDonald will lead the attack with assistance from Hurricanes head coach Holland, while Crusaders assistant coach Hansen will be in charge of defence.
Nic Gill, who has been a part of the All Blacks management group since 2008, will stay on as Head of Performance, leading the Health and Performance team.
Jason Ryan (Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)
NZR Chief Executive Mark Robinson said in a statement: “We 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 NZ Rugby as they build toward the Rugby 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.”
Robertson said he was pleased to have his coaching group signed up.
“I’ve known Jason [Ryan], Leon, Scott, Alfie [Holland] and Gilly for a long time and worked with them all at times during my playing and coaching career. 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.”
MacDonald was widely tipped to join his long time mate.
“The All Blacks were the ultimate for me as a player and nothing has changed as a coach,” he said.
“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.”
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