The Blues have confirmed the appointment of former All Blacks assistant Jason Holland as their new head coach for the 2027 Super Rugby season, on a three-year contract.
He will replace Vern Cotter, who is set to leave the Auckland-based outfit to take over the coaching reins at the Reds next season.
Holland has a wealth of experience across both domestic and international rugby, including the Hurricanes, where he served as head coach from 2020 to 2023.
Joined All Blacks coaching staff in 2024
From there, he joined the All Blacks coaching staff under former head coach Scott Robertson in 2024 but concluded his involvement with the men in black after opting not to extend his contract beyond last year’s November internationals.
The 53-year-old returned to the Hurricanes ahead of this year’s Super Rugby Pacific campaign to work as one of the Wellington-based side’s assistants.
As a player, Holland represented Manawatū and Taranaki at provincial level in New Zealand as fly-half and centre before making 102 appearances for top Irish outfit Munster from 1999 to 2008.
Blues chairman Don Mackinnon believes Holland’s appointment represents a significant step forward for the club.
“We are thrilled to secure Jason as our head coach from 2027. He is a quality person with outstanding rugby intellect and a proven track record of developing teams and players,” Mackinnon said.
“His experience at both Super Rugby and international level, including with the All Blacks, makes him an exceptional candidate to lead the Blues into our next chapter.
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‘Appointment provides long-term certainty and stability’
“Just as importantly, this appointment provides long-term certainty and stability for our club, our players, and our fans.”
The announcement of Holland’s appointment comes at a time when the Blues are building strong momentum, with several talented players in their ranks and a number of emerging youngsters committed to the club’s future.
Blues chief executive Karl Budge is delighted that Holland will be joining his club.
“We are really looking forward to welcoming Jason to the club, but know he still has a job to do with the Hurricanes first, and we fully respect and support that,” he said.
“We expect him to continue giving everything to his current team, as we would expect of any professional of his calibre.”
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Holland said he was energised by the opportunity ahead while reaffirming his focus on his current role for the rest of the 2026 campaign.
“The opportunity to join the Blues from 2027 is incredibly exciting,” he said. “It’s a club with a proud history and I see huge potential to add to that legacy,” he said.
“When the time comes I’m really looking forward to connecting with everyone at the club including players, staff, fans and the wider community.”
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