Analysis: Given the team's flaws over the past two years the All Blacks will almost certainly replace the departing Jason Holland, writes Patrick McKendry.
The curious case of Jason Holland’s early departure from the All Blacks, and a potential replacement, will be discussed as part of the team’s end-of-season review.
In a media call yesterday, New Zealand Rugby’s head of the professional game Chris Lendrum confirmed: “We’ve got some decisions to make on the coaching group… whether to replace Jason or to look at the balance that we’ve got and consider whether there is a different way to do things.”
Head coach Scott Robertson has been reluctant to say whether Holland, the second assistant to call it quits under his reign, would be replaced.
Holland announced he would not extend his two-year contract on the day the All Blacks left for their Grand Slam tour against Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales.
Last year, Leon MacDonald dropped a bombshell when announcing he was leaving only eight months into the job, citing a difference of coaching philosophies with Robertson.
MacDonald became the first All Blacks’ assistant to opt out of his contract early, and, while Holland insisted there was nothing specific to blame for his wanting out, the two departures have raised questions about the working environment under Robertson and his second in charge Scott Hansen.
It has been widely known in rugby circles that Hansen is a powerful figure in the coaching set-up which now includes fellow assistants Jason Ryan and Tamati Ellison.
In many ways, Robertson is more of a modern-day director of rugby, with Hansen taking on the detail that most would assume a head coach covered off.
However, Lendrum yesterday was moved to say that Robertson remains the head coach in every respect.
“Scott Hansen helps to set up the performance week for the All Blacks,” he said. “The head coach of the All Blacks is Scott Robertson – that’s what we appointed him to do.
“But Scott [Hansen] has a serious and significant role to play in how the week is structured and how we build into performance.”
It is highly likely that New Zealand Rugby will appoint another assistant coach, given the flaws evident in the All Blacks’ performances over the past two years.
This year, Robertson’s men won 10 of 13 Tests and their defeats to Argentina, South Africa and England were notable for the way they conceded points quickly and apparently with few ideas about how to stop the metaphorical bleeding.
Additionally, on attack they occasionally struggled to break teams down and their transition defence was often flawed. Worryingly, against England they conceded two tries directly from set pieces.
Another area that needs work is catching the high ball and Robertson has described it as another of the modern game’s set pieces after the scrum, lineout and re-start.
Indeed, veteran Sky commentator Tony Johnson said on New Zealand radio station Sport Nation recently that he believes an assistant coach will be brought in to deal specifically with an area of the game in which the All Blacks are probably lagging behind South Africa, Ireland, England, France, Argentina and even Australia, now ranked seventh in the world.
“What I’ve seen and heard is that they want someone to come in with a specialist brief of dealing with how they cope with the high ball,” Johnson said.
The importance (and use) of the high ball has increased significantly since World Rugby instructed referees to punish defending teams who obstruct opponents chasing high contestable kicks.
An unintended consequence of the approach has been to tip the advantage towards the chasing team, therefore making kicking more attractive.
The change has provoked a variety of reactions but few as intense (and eloquent) as that of Gloucester first-five Ross Byrne, who has played 22 Tests for Ireland.
In a recent interview, Byrne said he believes international head coaches could convert locks into wings for the next Rugby World Cup in 2027 to capitalise on the crackdown on obstruction.
“Unfortunately I think it’s changed how everybody plays,” Byrne said. “Everybody knows the stats: because of the new rules whoever kicks the ball is most likely to get it back. If those are the stats, which the top teams generally tend to follow, why would you not kick the ball?
“If I was a head coach of a country right now and the World Cup’s in two years, you’re going: ‘OK, is there anyone who’s 19, 20, a second-row or back-row who’s a really good athlete? Can we make him into a winger in two years? Go chase some kicks?’ Genuinely, why would you not do that?”
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