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International

NZR finalise 2024 All Blacks management group under Scott Robertson

By Finn Morton

20 Dec 2023

Assistant Coach Tamati Ellison and Head Coach Scott Robertson (L-R) look on following a Crusaders Super Rugby training session at English Park on January 18, 2021 in Christchurch, New Zealand. (Photo by Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images)

Current Crusaders assistant Tamati Ellison is the final member to join the new-look All Blacks coaching group for 2024, as confirmed by New Zealand Rugby on Thursday.

Ellison, who played four Test matches for New Zealand, joins Scott Robertson’s management group as the All Blacks’ newly appointed Contact Skills Coach.

The other assistant coaches working with the man affectionally known as ‘Razor’ include Jason Holland (backs), Jason Ryan (forwards), Leon MacDonald (attack) and Scott Hansen (defence).

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Rugby guru Wayne Smith – who helped the All Blacks end their Rugby World Cup drought in 2011 before leading the Black Ferns to a title last year – will support the group as a performance coach.

“We are extremely excited by the mix of top international coaching and management experienced, and high-quality new personnel, in the team supporting Scott,” NZR General Manager professional Rugby Chris Lendrum said in a statement.

“We strongly believe that these are the best people to carry the All Blacks’ legacy forward and enhance it further in the coming years.

“We have worked closely with Scott and his team in creating some new roles and are excited to see what this group can achieve.”

Former Crusaders coach Scott ‘Razor’ Robertson was officially named as Ian Foster’s successor in the All Blacks hot seat in March.

Robertson was the fan favourite for the position after leading the Crusaders to seven Super Rugby titles in as many years – a feat that very well may never be replicated.

While it was a popular decision to appoint Robertson into the role, the makeup of the rest of the All Blacks management group for 2024 should pique the interest of New Zealand rugby fans as well.

“I’d like to welcome everyone to what is a special team of highly skilled individuals,” Robertson said.

“It’s a real privilege to represent our country and I’m proud of the group that we have assembled. They are all at the top of their craft and bring some incredible expertise with them.

“I know how hard each person has been working, and will continue to work, as we build towards our first season together. A massive focus for us is to do the jersey proud and build on an amazing legacy.”

2024 All Blacks Management

Scott Robertson (Head Coach)

Jason Ryan (Assistant Coach – Forwards)

Leon MacDonald (Assistant Coach – Attack)

Scott Hansen (Assistant Coach – Defence)

Jason Holland (Assistant Coach – Backs)

Tamati Ellison (Contact Skills Coach)

Wayne Smith (Performance Coach)

Jamie Hamilton (Head Performance Analyst)

Al Beeton (Assistant Performance Analyst)

Jon Gardner (Assistant Performance Analyst)

Ceri Evans (Head of Leadership + Mental Performance)

Nic Gill (Head of Performance)

Adam Hay (Performance Scientist)

Martin Swan (Doctor)

Karl McDonald (Lead Physiotherapist)

Teresa Te Tamaki (Assistant Physiotherapist)

Kat Darry (Dietician)

Paul McLaughlan (Team Manager)

Megan Compain (Commercial Manager)

James Iversen (Logistics Manager)

Matt Manukia (Communications Manager)

Paula Powlesland (Business Manager)

Bianca Thiel (Operations Manager)

Comments

6 Comments

Bob Marler 497 days ago

Who will be in charge of sin bins and red cards? High tackle consultant?

Just kidding. Relax.

Pecos 515 days ago

What a team!!

JW 516 days ago

Geeze, I hope Tamati is the next messiah after Razor because he’s been handed the All Blacks biggest work on’s in the breakdown and tackle contact.

Pecos 515 days ago

No, he’s a part-time appointment focusing on “contact skills” which basically means running “skills under pressure” drills on both sides of the ball. His role will obviously support the attack & defence coaching teams. He’ll probably have input into drills development as well.

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Comments on RugbyPass

Cantab 7 days ago

Teenager Braxton Sorensen-McGee reflects on dream Black Ferns debut

Although NZ won comfortably enough they weren’t always convincing and a better opposition may well have found them out. If our gun 7s players can translate their skills to the 15s game the team would have the ability to beat anyone. Need to be given the chance though.

4 Go to comments

James 7 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

And how do you see the Wallabies loosehead / Lion’s tighthead battle Nick?

37 Go to comments

dw 7 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Also interested in your thoughts on A Bell. Haven't noticed many scrum issues recently. He also seems to play 60 or so mins every game. A bit of a fan (even though he’s a tah..) but wondered if the Lions would target his scrummaging

37 Go to comments

dw 7 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

True. And you look at how the European coaches have got so much out of skelton and how much the local fans love him…and then some Oz fans will still say “he played poorly for the tahs I'm 2015!”

37 Go to comments

dw 7 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Thanks Nick but your headline has just jinxed us and reminded me of that night in 2013!

I love any analysis of the scrums such as the above. Cheers.

Allalatoa seems to be in good form and Nongorr appears to be able to hold his own? I think they will pick Tupou regardless of form. After Friday night I am concerned he could be sent off in the first five mins of the test though! He got too pumped up and hit a player high and was carded

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 7 days ago

'Most complacent selection decision you will ever see': Barrett benching slammed as Leinster knocked out

I watched the mainstream NZ pundits eg Mils Muliaina and they DID back NZ to win almost to a man.

Ireland will talk their team up as anyone would with the caveats we are playing the ABs and match was de facto 50:50, That is not the same as dismissing the opposition. EG After the quarter John Kirwan said he was sorry France didn’t win versus SA becuase a ‘France-NZ final would be perfect. (The semis had not even been played yet, England and Argentina completely dismissed! He didn’t even realize his own arrogance) NZ are not even aware of the arrogance they exude. Has no Kiwi politely asked the national team to take down the ‘Superstars and Humble Heroes’ boasting on the AB site? Its cringeworthy stuff. Do NZ really see themselves like this?

Note all this BS about Irish arrogance started just after NZs defeat in the 2022 series. Not a coincidence.

Also: this is Irish national TV. We will talk our team up as everyone does. We care too much about judgemental and thin skinned Kiwis getting offended.

91 Go to comments

JM 7 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Aussie rugby fans are obsessed with players they hate, for whatever reason.

Michael Hooper is another one, and the hatred only increased whenever he won John Eales medals or the two times he was nominated world player of the year.

I reckon it is because our forwards are technically and mentally weak they put it all on one player who they think should make way for the messiah.

Same for the general team performance and the hate put on players like White, Lolesio, and Foley who should be pulling rabbits out of the hat every play.

I reckon, if we had of had 5 players with Hooper’s desire and drive spread across the team (and especiallythe forwards), we wouldn’t have woken up in the bottom of the ditch.

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 7 days ago

'What he’s given to this club is nothing short of incredible'

He shouldn’t have been picked. Not physically able for the most intense matches notably in Twickenham last year. Giving him the captaincy was also a very short sighted decision then after RWC 2023. Ireland have a tendency to be a little too loyal, which can mean the team ages and the rebuild is bigger than should be.

Plenty of lads out there to fill that squad.

4 Go to comments

OJohn 7 days ago

Geoff Parling returns to Leicester as head coach

Hooray

0 Go to comments

Carlos 7 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

He was also a YC magnet.

37 Go to comments

Carlos 7 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Windsor-Faulkner-Price. 😊

37 Go to comments

Solenn Bonnet 7 days ago

Leinster cleanse palette with record URC scoreline against Zebre

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0 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 7 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Ah, the Pooler front row ! Most legendary in the history of the , I would think. Max Boyce helped…”Here we. here we, here we go, with the Pontypool front row.”

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 7 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Would not go as far as whole house in our family, but for me, yes, W1. Loved playing in the scrum, love watching now😀

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 7 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Yes, I see that article here on RP, Nick. That is good news that Schmidt is going to look at the o’seas players.

Yes, I would think you are right that LAR will qualify. On the same points as MP, but surely they are too good not to win this crunch game….could be tEnse for ROG in the stands though.

37 Go to comments

BC 7 days ago

Who would make it into a Women's British and Irish Lions starting XV?

I would pick Oifa Wafer at 6, put Aldcroft in the second row with Ward. I think Wafer is one of the few non-England players mentioned that would contend for a Red Rose shirt, the others being King and possibly Neve Jones. Conversely there are two English players mentioned, Sing and Venner, that probably won’t even make the Red Rose WC squad, let alone a Lions Tour. Still a lot can change in two years, watch out for Millie David.

1 Go to comments

Otagoman II 7 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Great article NB, thanks. I would like to know what is the reasoning why so many things are penalties in the scrum. Is it to do with safety or something else?

37 Go to comments

NB 7 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

👍