Former All Blacks assistant coach Jason Holland has joined the Hurricanes as an assistant for next year.
Holland, a former Hurricanes assistant and then a head coach from 2020-23, will assist Clark Laidlaw after declining to apply for an extension to his two-year All Blacks contract.
New Zealand Rugby will make a decision on whether Holland will be replaced after a review into the All Blacks' year, but it appears all but certain that an addition will be made to a team that now includes Scott Robertson, Scott Hansen, Tamati Ellison and Jason Ryan.
“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.”
Led by Laidlaw, the Hurricanes' coaching team also includes assistants Jamie Mackintosh, Cory Jane, Brad Cooper and Bryn Evans.
Last month Holland, 53, became the second All Blacks assistant to leave Robertson's team early after Leon MacDonald called it quits last year.
“We’re hugely excited to have Alfie return to the club and assist us for the season ahead,” 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."
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