New Zealand coach Scott Robertson will retain Jason Ryan as All Blacks forwards coach, reviving the partnership the men have built at the Crusaders.
Ryan left the Crusaders last year to join Ian Foster’s All Blacks side and will continue in that role when Foster steps down at the end of the World Cup which runs from September 8 to October 28 In France. Robertson appointed Ryan in charge of the Crusaders in 2016 and the pair have overseen the Super Rugby team’s run of six Championship trophies in six years.
“Any All Blacks coaching role is a huge honor and as long as I have the opportunity to contribute to the legacy I will do so to the best of my abilities,” Ryan said in a statement from New Zealand Rugby on Wednesday. My focus is currently on the Rugby World Cup, but I look forward to continuing the journey in 2024 and beyond.” Ryan will be joined by assistant coaches Leon MacDonald, Jason Holland and Scott Hansen, who will join the All Blacks in 2024.
MacDonald, current Auckland Blues coach, will lead the attack with the help of Holland, Hurricanes coach, while Hansen, assistant coach of the Crusaders, will be in charge of defence. Nic Gill, a key member of the All Blacks management group since 2008, will remain in charge of performance, New Zealand Rugby said. “I have known Jason, Leon, Scott, Alfie (Holland) and Gilly for a long time and have worked with them throughout my playing and coaching careers,” Robertson said.
“They are a very talented and motivated group who will bring different strengths to the table and who share the same philosophy of the game. Like me with the Crusaders, I know they all have important work to do in 2023 and that they will will concentrate on their current task, but we will be ready from 2024”.
