Jason Holland confirms Super Rugby move after All Blacks exit

Former All Blacks attack coach Jason Holland will return to the Hurricanes for the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season.

The move sees Holland return to the Kiwi capital, where he spent eight years, first as an assistant, helping the team win its lone Super Rugby title, and then as head coach from 2020 to 2023.

Former All Blacks Sevens boss Clark Laidlaw took over as head coach when Holland departed for Scott Robertson’s All Blacks staff ahead of the 2024 season, and will remain in the top role, with Holland coming in as an assistant.

“I’m hugely grateful and excited by the opportunity to be back at the Hurricanes,” Holland said.

“It’s been awesome working alongside a great group of staff and players in the first few days since I’ve been back. They’ve created an exciting brand of Hurricanes rugby, so I’m expecting the upcoming season to be a lot of fun.”

Holland announced his intention not to seek a new contract with the All Blacks on the eve of the team’s departure for the Northern Tour. He said at that point there were no plans in place for life beyond the All Blacks.

Laidlaw warmly welcomed his return.

“We’re hugely excited to have Alfie return to the club and assist us for the season ahead,” Hurricanes head coach Clark Laidlaw said.

“He obviously has a wealth of experience, not only at the Hurricanes as a head coach and attack coach, but also in the last couple of years with the All Blacks.

“We feel that, with his experience and ability and knowledge to help us with our attacking game, he’ll be a huge asset.”

Laidlaw added that with an increased squad, as well as Holland’s experience and availability, it made sense to bring him back to the club.

“With the squad going up to 50 players during pre-season, we were looking for a coach to come in and help,” Laidlaw said.

“The timing and opportunity for Alfie to come in, and his excitement and enthusiasm for the role, was too good to miss.

“For me as the head coach, having someone who has been a head coach of a Super Rugby club, and understands the demands of that, gives us a real second pair of eyes around our environment week-to-week.

“We’re massively excited and really enjoyed welcoming him back to the club, and look forward to building our relationship within our coaching team through pre-season to assist the players.”