"Huge surprise" - All Blacks rocked by coaches shock resignation

Rugby News

by Steven Smith

Tuesday, 28 October 2025 at 09:26

bySteven Smith

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The All Blacks are still processing Jason Holland’s bombshell decision to step away from the team.

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The backs coach caught everyone off guard ahead of New Zealand’s Grand Slam tour, confirming he will wrap up his role when his contract ends at the conclusion of the 2025 season.

Holland broke the news to coach Ian Robertson after the second Bledisloe Cup Test. The players didn’t get the memo until last Thursday, the first day of camp ahead of the Northern Tour.

From a player’s perspective, there were no hints Holland wouldn’t re-sign. All Black hooker Codie Taylor admitted he was taken by surprise.

“I would be lying if I said I was not surprised,” Taylor told stuff.co.nz.

The All Blacks are in Chicago for the tour opener against Ireland, but the squad isn’t letting Holland’s exit overshadow preparations.

“It hasn’t changed anything. Alfie [Holland] owned it straight away in one of the first meetings we had on this tour,” Taylor said.
“He wants to give his all before he steps away. On a personal level, I have the utmost respect for him. He’s obviously got things he wants to explore away from rugby.”

Holland isn’t the first full-time assistant to depart Robertson’s coaching group. Last year, Leon MacDonald left on the eve of the Rugby Championship Tests in South Africa, citing a clash of coaching styles.