Hurricanes add ex-All Black to complete 2027 coaching ticket

The Hurricanes have finalised their 2027 coaching group with two new additions, Jermey Thrush and Sam McNicol.

Thrush is only three years removed from an 18-year playing career, which included 110 Hurricanes caps and 12 Tests for the All Blacks. The 41-year-old also spent multiple seasons with Gloucester and then the Western Force, where he transitioned into coaching. Most recently, he was an assistant coach with the Australia U20 team.

“I’m extremely excited about connecting back up with the Hurricanes,” Thrush said.

“It’s a club that means a lot to me and gave me so much, and I feel privileged to have been considered for the role.

“I’m really looking forward to getting to know the staff and players and contributing to the environment that’s been created at the club.”

McNicol is just 31 but has been involved with Hurricanes development teams for several years and has acted as assistant coach for Hawke’s Bay in the NPC since 2022.

“I really enjoyed being in the Hurricanes environment over the last couple of years with the U20s and Hunters,” McNicol said.

“Joining the Hurricanes’ coaching group is an exciting next step for me, and I am looking forward to rubbing shoulders with such a quality group.”

The pair join Roger Randle as the newcomers in head coach Clark Laidlaw’s group. Cory Jane and Jamie Mackintosh continue in their well-established roles in the now-finalised cohort.

“We’re extremely excited to have both Thrushy and Sam back at the Hurricanes,” Laidlaw said.

“Thrushy is a centurion, a former captain, and a highly competitive Hurricane who got the best out of himself and others, and we think those attributes have really served him well as he started his coaching career in Australia over the last couple of years.

“Jamie Mackintosh and I have had chats with him around how he sees the lineout part, but also the game in general. We think he can come here and continue to develop as a coach and add to the work done over the past two or three seasons.

“Sam’s been coaching at Hawke’s Bay after finishing his playing career early. I remember coaching him as an 18-year-old when he played for the Hurricanes Schools team, and he was an exceptional talent.

“He had a tough playing career with injuries, but that’s got him into coaching while he’s young and hungry and really open to learning. He’s done a really good job up at Hawke’s Bay, where we get great feedback about his work from our players.

“We really look forward to welcoming them both back to the club and helping them grow as coaches and really making them feel like they belong here again.”