“His track record within one of world sport’s most successful high-performance systems speaks for itself,” Ayto said in a club statement.
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New Zealand Rugby lose high performance boss to Premier League
By Ned Lester
New Zealand Rugby head of high performance Mike Anthony is on the move, but this time he will be leaving the game of rugby for an opportunity with Premier League club Brighton.
The move comes after more than a decade and a half contributing to New Zealand Rugby in high-performance and strength and conditioning roles.
In addition to stints with the All Blacks, All Blacks Sevens, and Crusaders, Anthony has previously spent four years with Gloucester. Anthony was the man tasked with the recent review of the All Blacks’ 2025 season, assisted by his predecessor, Don Tricker.
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Brighton sporting director Jason Ayto explained Anthony’s appointment as the club’s first head of player development and high performance.
“Mike has an exceptional ability to build environments where players, coaches and teams can thrive, and his expertise will strengthen every part of our performance structure.”
The new role will also see Anthony work closely alongside technical director Mike Cave and head coach Fabian Hurzeler. Hurzeler is a noted fan of the All Blacks’ mental skills approach, recently referring to Dr Ceri Evans’ red-blue mindset as a point of inspiration.
The 54-year-old’s departure signals further change for New Zealand Rugby, which farewelled chief executive Mark Robinson late last year and has yet to name a replacement. It’s understood Steve Lancaster, NZR’s general manager of community rugby, is operating in the interim CEO capacity.
The union is also on the hunt for a chief commercial officer and a chief financial officer. While the recent Black Ferns head coach vacancy was filled by Whitney Hansen, there remains an opening in Scott Robertson’s All Blacks staff after attack coach Jason Holland’s departure last year.
Meanwhile, Anthony joins a club sitting middle of the table with seven wins, eight draws, and six losses after 21 games played. At the time his appointment with the club was made official, his working visa had not yet been confirmed.
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