'Hard to take': Jason Holland reacts to Devan Flanders' Japan move

Departing Hurricanes assistant coach Jason Holland is struggling to find the answers, like many, about how to keep New Zealand-based players in the country, after the latest in-form player announced his departure overseas.

His current assistant coach, Holland, was full of praise for Flanders and how he’s grown as a player when addressing media in Wellington on Tuesday.

“Yeah you can see why Devan’s taken an opportunity, it’s a massive shame having watched Devan through his career here at the Hurricanes, to get more and more mature, understand the game, understand himself around how he gets ready.

“It does get disappointing when they get to the stage where they’re probably at their best, they understand themselves really well, and they’re about to play their best three or four years of footy.

“So that’s where it becomes hard to take, but it is what it is, and we’ve got to do our best to make sure those guys are playing their best footy in New Zealand.”

Flanders has stood out among a stacked loose-forward group at the Wellington-based franchise, with Holland agreeing that the 26-year-old is playing the best rugby of his career.

“Yeah definitely, look, he’s worked hard on his game and himself over the last three or four years, I know he’s put a lot of time into his prep and how he gets himself in the best possible space to play really well.

“Which players do as they mature, and it gets the best out of them. So really happy with where he’s got to man, he’s playing some awesome footy, and I’m sure he’ll be doing everything he possibly can to continue to play the best footy for the next couple of months.”

“Wellington has become my second home, and I’ve truly appreciated the support from the community,” Flanders said in a statement.

“I’ve loved every minute of my time with the Canes, and the club is definitely in good hands moving forward.”

Hurricanes head coach Clark Laidlaw acknowledged the loose-forward’s decision to take an opportunity when it came about.

“Devan’s a true product of the region, played all his rugby for Hawke’s Bay and the Hurricanes, and has grown into an amazing man and a really good rugby player,” Laidlaw said.

“He’s done an amazing job with the coaches this year. An example of that is in the defensive lineout, where he’s a real leader now in an area of the game that is important.

“We’re going to miss him for sure, but we wish him and Mariah all the best with his future career. We look forward to continuing to connect and welcoming him home and back into the club whenever he wants to be back, because he’s a true Hurricane.”