Jason Holland has become the second high-profile departure from Scott Robertson’s coaching team after it was announced ahead of their end-of-year tour.
The assistant will exit at the conclusion of the season upon the expiry of his two-year contract, leaving them without a backs coach going into 2026.
Holland follows Leon MacDonald out of the All Blacks door, with the former Blues boss not seeing eye-to-eye with Robertson over the direction of the game plan.
There is no suggestion that is the case for the ex-Hurricanes man, with it being framed as very much a decision made by the attack guru.
‘Wasn’t an easy decision’
“It’s been a huge privilege to coach the All Blacks and represent New Zealand alongside some great people, both players and management,” Holland said in a statement.
“Obviously, I’ve been taking the time to reflect on what I want to do with my contract coming up for renewal. Ultimately, this is about what gets me excited about being a coach.
“I was happy to take a two-year contract and the time feels right for me to step away from this role and look ahead.
“We’re a close group so this wasn’t an easy decision. I’ve obviously coached with them all in various ways for a long period of time and we think the team are making shifts in the right direction. There are four Tests left, and I’m absolutely focused on helping this team to win in the northern hemisphere.”
After MacDonald left, Holland, who was officially the backs coach, helped out with the attack alongside Scott Hansen, but there has been little improvement in that area in 2025.
However, the official line being taken is that the 53-year-old has made the call to step down rather than being pushed out by the New Zealand hierarchy.
“There’s a massive amount respect for Jase in our group. Whilst we’re disappointed, he has our support and we respect the decision he’s come to,” head coach Robertson said in a statement.
“Not only is Jase a great man, he’s a fantastic coach and has been dedicated to his role in this All Blacks team.
“Jase has made it clear to the team that he’s completely focused on our four remaining Test matches, and I know he’s already got a few new strike plays up his sleeve.
“A Grand Slam opportunity doesn’t come around too often and that’s where our attention is for the challenge ahead.”
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Comparisons with Ian Foster’s reign
Robertson was refreshingly honest following MacDonald’s exit, admitting that it simply did not work out between the two and they could not find common ground over how the All Blacks should play.
To that extent, there is no reason to doubt the explanation of those involved but, ultimately, if it was all going swimmingly, there would almost certainly be no change in the backroom team.
While the forwards have operated well under Jason Ryan, the attack has failed to fire and it almost feels a repeat of Ian Foster’s reign when changes were made in the coaching staff midway through his tenure.
Brad Mooar and John Plumtree took the fall for New Zealand’s problems under Foster and they were replaced by Joe Schmidt and the aforementioned Ryan in 2022.
It proved to be the correct call as they reached the Rugby World Cup final and Robertson will hope Holland’s successor has a similar impact.
There was plenty of excitement when the highly regarded Robertson was named New Zealand head coach but, if anything, it has so far been just as turbulent as Foster’s reign.
He is not quite as under pressure as his predecessor, who was an unpopular appointment from the start, but the 51-year-old certainly needs to get a grip and find the right formula for success in 2026.
The All Blacks have continued to create unwanted history with Robertson at the helm following a first defeat to Los Pumas on Argentinian soil and their biggest loss ever, when they went down 43-10 to the Springboks in Wellington.