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Super Rugby Pacific

David Kidwell joins Highlanders coaching staff for 2026

David Kidwell assistant coach of Argentina Rugby and Argentina Rugby Head Coach Michael Cheika during the team’s Captains Run at Cardiff and Vale Colleges rugby field on November 11, 2022 in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo by Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images)

Experienced former Argentina defence coach David Kidwell has joined Jamie Joseph’s coaching staff at the Highlanders for the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific campaign, replacing Dave Dillon.

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Dillon, who has been the Highlanders’ defence coach for the past three seasons, is leaving the club after his commitments in Italy with the New Zealand U20 team taking part in the World U20 Championship.

Kidwell has previously held roles with Michael Cheika at Argentina and the Leicester Tigers, before spending some time with Eddie Jones at Japan’s Brave Blossoms.

Joseph, who will be in his second season back at the Highlanders in 2026, is looking forward to joining forces with the experienced coach.

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“David brings a unique skill set, an intense defensive mindset, and strong mana. His experience at the international level, both in league and union, makes him an exciting addition to our coaching group. We’re confident he’ll bring real steel to our defensive identity.”

The former Kiwis Rugby League coach hopes to add value to the Dunedin-based franchise on and off the field.

“I’m really excited to be coaching the Highlanders, and to be back home in New Zealand 30 years on from when I left as an 18-year-old to pursue my dream of playing in the NRL – a journey built on grit, hard work, and a winning mindset,” Kidwell explained on a Highlanders statement.

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“Now, as a defence coach, I thrive on adding value to organisations both on and off the field. I bring a strong focus on physicality, mindset, and team culture, and I believe that success is built not just through discipline and effort, but also through having some fun along the way. ”

David Kidwell – Coaching Career:

2024-25           Japan

2022-23           Argentina

2018-22           Paramatta Eels

2018-20           Maori All Stars

2014-18           NZ Kiwis

2013-16           West Tigers

2011-13           Melbourne Storm

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Comments on RugbyPass

J
JW 16 minutes ago
Can the All Blacks navigate their way past old enemies to win the World Cup?

Thats a bit too negative for the All Blacks, and like I said, would send exactly the wrong message to England.

That’s particularly because tap was on the halfway lines (on the 5 meter). Not even Jordie would kick that dead, and Jordan at best would be 5 meters short of the goalline and allow the English to take the ball back tot he 22 and boot it back past halfway. At worst a skied kick could have given them the ball on the 22. Or turnover at a lineout 10meters outside their 22.



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139 Go to comments
H
Hammer Head 22 minutes ago
How Ireland can upset the odds in Paris: Big match preview part two

How far off is Flannery (and Felix’s) D from Nienaber’s?

I feel Ike it’s an iteration of Nienaber’s.



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78 Go to comments
K
KZ7 23 minutes ago
Senior All Blacks duo come out in defence of 'scapegoat' Savea

Just don’t follow what he’s done wrong?If like all other players he gave his opinion as part of the review he’s done the right thing.If comments attributed to him about thinking of playing abroad have been leaked then so what?

26 Go to comments
S
SB 26 minutes ago
Timoci Tavatavanawai to return from injury in preseason Moana tussle

Yea but the point is that France series was clearly a time to try new things. Billy Proctor was the standout 13 in Super Rugby yet at top test level he’s not been good. I think it’s time to understand what top test level requires as opposed to selecting just off Super Rugby form.

10 Go to comments
J
JW 39 minutes ago
Can the All Blacks navigate their way past old enemies to win the World Cup?

They were back to back the worlds best 10s.

But yes, they aren’t like Carter where you’d expect him to win year after year. Agreed, all those names are similar too.



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S
SK 41 minutes ago
How Ireland can upset the odds in Paris: Big match preview part two

Ireland need to keep the ball for long periods even if it goes against their current Leinster identity. This is their bread and butter against France. If they can stress test the French defence for long periods of time they will tire out. Ireland cannot afford to just build 90 rucks in a game. They need to build well in excess of 100 and they need to get 55-60% lightning quick ball at least. They need to force France to make at least 150-200 tackles and force them to defend multiple phases of attack. They need to play quickly at lineout, get the ball away from the base at scrum time and keep the French forwards under the pump. They cant play from everywhere but once it gets to their own 10 metre line they need to keep the ball and avoid the kick unless its to expose space with a kick chase or a 50-22. I dont rate the French bench, hell the Ireland bench doesnt look so great itself but if they can survive the first 60, deny France set piece and aerial dominance and move their forwards around they can win this. For France they need to establish dominance at set piece, make a mess of the Irish lineout, dominate the air waves and score off turnover ball using fast breaking backs like LBB and Ramos. They need to put Prendergast under pressure and smash the Irish front row. If they can make a mess of the Irish ruck speed they will also win but what we cant have is both teams pussyfooting around in a cagey affair putting the ball up constantly in a snooze fest with Ireland playing some Leinster garbage and France doing what they are comfortable doing. That only ends one way, a France win and Thursday night wasted for a rugby hungry audience. If we want a game on Ice we will watch the Winter Olympics thank you very much.

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C
Cantab 43 minutes ago
No CEO, no head coach, but the All Blacks can fire pot shots at Australia

So all is well for the good ship NZR at this stage?? Unfortunately like the Titanic they are ill prepared for the icebergs that lie ahead.

8 Go to comments
G
GRB13 51 minutes ago
No CEO, no head coach, but the All Blacks can fire pot shots at Australia

The opening match used to be between the holders and the hosts. Somewhere along the line they stopped doing this for some reason.

8 Go to comments
J
JW 55 minutes ago
Timoci Tavatavanawai to return from injury in preseason Moana tussle

ALB was the standout center in Super before that.

Fairly short period I think. Has recently back from injury at that point.



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10 Go to comments
J
JW 56 minutes ago
Timoci Tavatavanawai to return from injury in preseason Moana tussle

Not saying this would have happened with Timoci but, even if they lost the game as a result of given a deb 30 min instead of 15?

10 Go to comments
J
JW 58 minutes ago
Timoci Tavatavanawai to return from injury in preseason Moana tussle

A bench role under Razor is more of a heart breaker than anything else.

10 Go to comments
S
SK 1 hour ago
How Ireland can upset the odds in Paris: Big match preview part two

The last 4 or 5 meetings between France and Ireland have been blockbuster and was a fixture that ultimately determined in large part the destiny of the 6 Nations title. This however seems like a big budget movie that hasn’t played too well with the critics or the test audience. It has a few big-name A-Listers but plenty of protagonists missing and to add to its woes it’s been relegated to a Thursday night kick off like a Europa League fixture. Theres plenty to play for in this one for both teams and looking at the line-ups France are favourites however it could go either way but is this really the Blockbuster opening to the 6 nations we were expecting when the fixture list was announced? Or is it a box office bomb, a damp squib in waiting, full of kicking and dropped balls, scrums and resets, low ball in play time and poor execution with a bit of ill-discipline mashed in for good measure.

78 Go to comments
S
SM 1 hour ago
Ian Foster is not the answer while NZR need to decide the fate of seven All Blacks

Let's face it the ABS went woke, sack everyone and start again, l bet Reiko and his Chiefs mates we’re moaning little you know what's. Biggest mistake Robinson made was not dropping the underperformers.

91 Go to comments
v
vr 1 hour ago
Can the All Blacks navigate their way past old enemies to win the World Cup?

I also saw it only if the prop / hooker out due to illigal scrummaging - yet it could be wrong even without AI - need to check with the Laws… I saw it once on international - it was YC and oops - 13 vs 15 at the first scrum after YC - lost one of the wings to keep on scrumming, but the other time - just normal one for one change. It is of course should be very clear for the team and coaches also…

Well I still see it as a sort of leadership gap or may be leaders of the team did not buy Razors tactic or something like that - it is hard to accept on how good was he at Saders - mainly due to people skills and that he lost it on AB level - I am not talking the tactics and Super vs International level - just people skills-which was his “selling point” as it looks from outside



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139 Go to comments
S
Skinny Pins 1 hour ago
The constant in the All Blacks’ struggles is not the coaches

Good arguments, and fair comment. Respect. I see it differently, and firmly believe old dogs can’t be taught new tricks. I also worry that it is difficult to recreate a culture of excellence with a group of senior players who have never really made the grade, under a variety of coaches (which is Bidwell’s point here, I guess). But, who knows? Time will tell, and you make the case for the alternative view really well. Cheers

247 Go to comments
R
RickyBobby38 1 hour ago
Senior All Blacks duo come out in defence of 'scapegoat' Savea

I made the mistake of reading an “article” that basically just transcribed a Mexted circular rant on a podcast - I felt like I lost 10-20 IQ points #NeverAgain 😆

26 Go to comments
P
PB 1 hour ago
Can the All Blacks navigate their way past old enemies to win the World Cup?

No they really aren’t! Both are pretty flash at SR, both have odd moments of brilliance, and both play well vs minnows where they have time to play their little tricks. Both have usually failed to be anything more than average vs the top teams.

The best in the conversation would be the likes of Ntamack, Jalibert, George Ford, Sacha, Pollard, Finn Russell and Albanorz.



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139 Go to comments
P
PB 1 hour ago
No CEO, no head coach, but the All Blacks can fire pot shots at Australia

It is called deflection. They are studiously trying to avoid the elephant in the room. They were already in disarray, and Kirk’s knee jerk decision has put further coals on the fire.

8 Go to comments
C
Cameron 2 hours ago
No CEO, no head coach, but the All Blacks can fire pot shots at Australia

Speak for yourself. The 2007 opening match between France and Argentina cemented rugby as the only sport I would ever truly care about for me. I agree that the opening match isn’t usually a blockbuster and I’m totally fine with this, but Chile at least might have provided something to cheer about.

8 Go to comments
G
GS 2 hours ago
Ian Foster is not the answer while NZR need to decide the fate of seven All Blacks

Lions tour plus a tour to NZ, where he outplayed Smith; and the series was won 2-1. TJ - How many WC’s and Grand Slams did TJ win?

He does a great Haka, but pretty average on core skills required of a 9 - you know - thing called passing. Actually, I remember a game in 2018 vs. Boks, where his passing at the end of the game was so poor, it cost us the game - why do you think he could never supplant Smith, the more dynamic runner/defender, but with very average skills.



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