Ex-All Blacks assistant Jason Holland named next Blues head coach

The Blues have confirmed their new head coach for the 2027 Super Rugby Pacific season, with former All Blacks assistant Jason Holland set to succeed Vern Cotter in the role.

Holland is currently an assistant coach at the Hurricanes, but has agreed to leave for the capital for Auckland by signing a three-year deal.

This move comes amid significant coaching changes across Super Rugby, with Cotter signing a multi-year contract with the Queensland Reds to replace Les Kiss, who will follow Joe Schmidt as Wallabies head coach later this year.

Holland spent two years with the All Blacks before rejoining the Hurricanes ahead of the current campaign. The 53-year-old has previously been an assistant and head coach at the Hurricanes, before joining Scott Robertson’s All Blacks management group.

Before that, Holland’s coaching career began as an assistant at Munster from 2008 before later returning to New Zealand. Holland spent multiple seasons with NPC powerhouse Canterbury before taking up a deal with the Canes.

“The opportunity to join the Blues from 2027 is incredibly exciting. It’s a club with a proud history and I see huge potential to add to that legacy,” Holland said.

“When the time comes I’m really looking forward to connecting with everyone at club including players, staff, fans and the wider community.”

Holland also enjoyed a successful playing career in New Zealand with Manawatu and Taranaki, before heading abroad and making more than 100 appearances for Munster between 1999 and 2009, and representing Ireland A.

“We are thrilled to secure Jason as our head coach from 2027. He is a quality person with outstanding rugby intellect and a proven track record of developing teams and players,” Blues Chairman Don Mackinnon explained.

“His experience at both Super Rugby and international level, including with the All Blacks, makes him an exceptional candidate to lead the Blues into our next chapter.

“Just as importantly, this appointment provides long-term certainty and stability for our club, our players, and our fans.”

Blues CEO Karl Budge added: “We are really looking forward to welcoming Jason to the club, but know he still has a job to do with the Hurricanes first, and we fully respect and support that. We expect him to continue giving everything to his current team, as we would expect of any professional of his calibre.”