All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson says it is too early to decide whether Jason Holland will be replaced within his coaching team.
Holland’s surprise decision to walk away at the end of the year rather than apply to renew his contract has potentially opened up a vacancy for a backs coach – a gap presumably wider in the wake of Leon MacDonald’s resignation last year.
MacDonald, who left suddenly after deciding he could not work with Robertson, was not replaced.
“It’s so new – we haven’t gone down that track,” Robertson said this afternoon. “We’re focusing on a Grand Slam and what’s ahead of us.”
On the eve of the team's Grand Slam tour, Jason Holland has announced he will not be renewing his contract. (Source: 1News)
The other question is: Who would be qualified for the role and, indeed, interested in it?
Tony Brown, currently an assistant with the Springboks, would appear to be an ideal candidate but is likely to hold off on a return to New Zealand until he can team up with friend and former colleague Jamie Joseph, who is the head coach of the All Blacks XV and presumably next in line for Robertson’s job.
Andrew Goodman, a highly regarded assistant under Robertson at the Crusaders, would also fit the brief but is employed by Ireland, currently preparing to meet the All Blacks in Chicago a week on Sunday.
Robertson and Holland, who today spoke to the media separately after the squad trained in Auckland, and who were due to meet the players and management at the airport for flight trip to Chicago straight afterwards, both maintained it was Holland’s decision to leave.
When it was put to him that Holland was the second assistant coach to leave under his reign, Robertson replied: “Every circumstance is different and it’s obviously his call today. Every situation is different.”
For Holland, 53, coaching elsewhere is still an option. After enjoying a successful stint as an assistant at Munster in Ireland, a move abroad once the dust settles appears most likely.
“The next three or four weeks are full on around making sure we win and then I’ll sit back at Christmas and figure out what I want to do,” Holland, a former Hurricanes head coach, said when asked whether he wanted to continue coaching. “Probably yeah – I just want to have an impact on people wherever I go.”
Asked whether his two years in the role had met his expectations, especially in terms of pressure, Holland said: “Pressure-wise, I don’t think it was any more than I had at the Canes. It’s a unique environment in international rugby – you’ve got a bit of travel. But, no, it has been a pleasure to work with the staff and players.
“It was everything I expected – it was a good challenge and fun along the way.”
Asked about the timing of the announcement – on the eve of the All Blacks’ northern tour and Tests against Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales – Robertson said it was better to do it now.
“We weighed up what was best for the team and Jason. When he made the call we thought it was for the best. You know what the rugby world is like. Somebody is going to find out.
“We just felt it was the right time and here we are – we’re just being open and honest about it.
“There’s no hesitation around the coaching side of it – we’ll just get on with it. There’s nothing from the performance side.
“It’s an exciting month ahead for us – we want to send Alfie off with some good performances.”
Holland told Robertson of his decision after the victory over the Wallabies in Perth last month and informed the squad today.
Robertson added: “I respect the decision Jason has made – it was obviously a tough one. He spoke with a lot of care with the group and with a lot of heart. He said it was his time and it was hard to hear.
“He’s a really good coach and a good friend. There was nothing from above [at board level] – not at all.”
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