All Blacks great Julian Savea lands first head coaching role

Friday, 31 July 2026 at 08:48

bySteven Smith

Julian Savea has landed his first senior head coaching role after being appointed as the new coach of Mahurangi Rugby Club.

The 35-year-old, who is currently playing NPC rugby for the Wellington Lions, will officially take charge of the North Harbour premier club once the provincial season concludes in October.

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Savea's appointment comes through a connection with former Moana Pasifika team manager Peter White. The pair worked together during Savea's time at Moana Pasifika, with White knowing the All Blacks legend was eager to begin the next chapter of his rugby career.

White, whose grandchildren play for Mahurangi, introduced Savea to club chairperson Patrick Sullivan, leading to discussions that quickly developed into an agreement.

Speaking about the move, Savea admitted coaching had long been an ambition.

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"I'm just stepping out of my comfort zone. I've always wanted to be a coach," Savea said.

"Pete said there was an opportunity at Mahurangi, so I caught up with Sully and talked about the possibilities. I feel like I've got so much to give and a philosophy that I would love to express through a team."

The All Blacks great, who scored 45 Test tries during his international career and was once famously described by former New Zealand coach Steve Hansen as being "better than Jonah Lomu", wants his teams to play with greater freedom.

"A little bit of freestyling, a little bit of structure, but making sure we don't lose the core values of the club."

White believes Savea's coaching potential has already been evident behind the scenes.

Despite an injury restricting him to just six minutes of Super Rugby action this season, Savea remained heavily involved in Moana Pasifika's preparations, helping coaches analyse opposition teams and develop game plans.

White will also join Mahurangi as team manager, bringing decades of experience that includes roles with the All Blacks and Moana Pasifika.

The appointment marks the beginning of what many will expect to be a promising coaching career for one of New Zealand rugby's greatest finishers.

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All Blacks Handed NIGHTMARE Route to 2027 Rugby World Cup Final

he All Blacks have been handed a potentially brutal route to the 2027 Rugby World Cup final after being drawn alongside hosts Australia in one of the tournament’s toughest pools.

With the competition expanding to 24 teams and introducing a Round of 16 for the first time, New Zealand can already map out their possible path to the Webb Ellis Cup — and it is packed with danger.

Pool A: A Trans-Tasman Showdown

New Zealand have been drawn in Pool A with Australia, creating one of the marquee clashes of the group stage. The All Blacks and Wallabies are expected to battle for top spot, with the pool winner earning a potentially more favourable route through the knockout stages.

Under the tournament format, the top two teams from each pool automatically qualify for the Round of 16, while the four best third-placed teams across all pools also advance.

For New Zealand, the objective will be simple: finish first in Pool A.

Round of 16: A Third-Placed Opponent Awaits

If the All Blacks top Pool A, they will face one of the tournament's best third-placed teams in the Round of 16.

Based on the draw, that opponent would come from Pools C, E or F. Possible challengers could include:

On paper, this should represent a manageable first knockout assignment for New Zealand.

Quarter-Final: Potential Clash with South Africa

The bracket reveals the first major obstacle on New Zealand's path.

Should the All Blacks win Pool A and progress through the Round of 16, they are likely to face the winner of Pool B in the quarter-finals. Defending champions South Africa are overwhelming favourites to top that group, which also contains Italy, Georgia and Romania.

That means the Rugby Championship rivals could be set for another World Cup knockout classic, with the Springboks standing between New Zealand and the final four.

Given South Africa's recent dominance and World Cup pedigree, many observers view this as one of the most anticipated potential quarter-finals of the tournament.

Semi-Final: France Looms Large

If New Zealand overcome South Africa, the likely semi-final opponent would emerge from the opposite side of the bracket containing Pool E.

France are strong favourites to win Pool E, which also includes Japan, Samoa and the United States.

Les Bleus are expected to navigate their side of the draw and could set up a blockbuster semi-final against the All Blacks. A meeting between two of world rugby's most talented squads would undoubtedly be one of the highlights of the tournament.

Potential Final Opponents

Should New Zealand reach the final, several heavyweight nations could await.

The opposite half of the draw is expected to be led by:

Ireland
Scotland
Argentina
England

England's route appears favourable if they top Pool F, while Ireland and Scotland will again meet in the pool stage before potentially making deep runs into the knockout rounds.

Argentina, meanwhile, remain one of the dark horses after their impressive performances in recent World Cups.

Predicted Route to the Final

Assuming the major nations win their pools, the All Blacks' most likely pathway would be:

Pool Stage

Australia
Other Pool A opponents

Round of 16

Best third-placed qualifier (from Pools C, E or F)

Quarter-Final

South Africa (Pool B winner)

Semi-Final

France (Pool E winner)

Final

Ireland, England, Scotland or Argentina

Quiz: Name these 10 retro rugby players

From jaw-dropping tries to unforgettable moments (and yes, some questionable haircuts), these players defined a golden era of the game. If their names don’t instantly come to mind, we suggest a quick trip to YouTube to jog your memory. Trust us, it’s worth it.

Ready to test your knowledge? Let’s see if you’ve still got it. Good luck!