1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,427 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:11,747 Speaker 1: from Newstalk ZEDB. 3 00:00:12,667 --> 00:00:17,307 Speaker 2: Now former All Blacks assistant coach Jason Holland. Having opted 4 00:00:17,347 --> 00:00:19,987 Speaker 2: not to seek a contract extension with the All Blacks 5 00:00:20,027 --> 00:00:23,427 Speaker 2: after two seasons, Jason Holland will return to the Hurricanes 6 00:00:23,507 --> 00:00:27,067 Speaker 2: as an assistant for their twenty twenty six Super Rugby 7 00:00:27,107 --> 00:00:31,227 Speaker 2: Pacific campaign. He was previously a Kaine's assistant from twenty 8 00:00:31,267 --> 00:00:35,267 Speaker 2: sixteen to twenty nineteen and then four seasons as head 9 00:00:35,307 --> 00:00:38,547 Speaker 2: coach before he joined the All Blacks. He joins a 10 00:00:38,587 --> 00:00:41,467 Speaker 2: coaching team at the Hurricanes lead by head coach Clarke Laidlaw, 11 00:00:41,907 --> 00:00:46,467 Speaker 2: along with his assistants Jamie McIntosh, Corey Jane, Brad Cooper 12 00:00:46,507 --> 00:00:50,107 Speaker 2: and Bryn Evans and now Jason Holland as well. Head 13 00:00:50,107 --> 00:00:53,587 Speaker 2: coach Clarke Laidlaw is with us great piece of business 14 00:00:53,587 --> 00:00:56,667 Speaker 2: to get Jason Holland back into the camp. Clark, how 15 00:00:56,667 --> 00:00:57,947 Speaker 2: did this all come about? 16 00:00:59,747 --> 00:01:03,467 Speaker 3: Yeah, it's yeah, it's excitating news for us and certainly 17 00:01:03,547 --> 00:01:07,987 Speaker 3: something we're really looking forward to to welcome them back 18 00:01:08,027 --> 00:01:08,707 Speaker 3: in the club as. 19 00:01:08,627 --> 00:01:09,667 Speaker 4: Well as we have done this week. 20 00:01:09,667 --> 00:01:13,547 Speaker 3: And yeah, how it came about was alf and I 21 00:01:13,307 --> 00:01:15,107 Speaker 3: have continually been in contact. 22 00:01:16,387 --> 00:01:18,507 Speaker 4: Yeah, writings I started the job really, you know, he. 23 00:01:18,467 --> 00:01:20,867 Speaker 3: Was one of the first people I met when I 24 00:01:20,907 --> 00:01:25,347 Speaker 3: came down to Welton from from the Mount and obviously 25 00:01:25,347 --> 00:01:29,227 Speaker 3: with his role with All Blacks, we've often had conversations 26 00:01:29,227 --> 00:01:32,187 Speaker 3: and coffee and talked. So yeah, I just reached out 27 00:01:32,187 --> 00:01:36,747 Speaker 3: Tom when he decided not to extend with All Blacks 28 00:01:36,747 --> 00:01:37,147 Speaker 3: just for a. 29 00:01:37,147 --> 00:01:38,027 Speaker 4: Yard really. 30 00:01:39,827 --> 00:01:42,227 Speaker 3: And shared the idea that you know, we were looking for. 31 00:01:42,427 --> 00:01:44,547 Speaker 3: You know that the squads went up to fifty players 32 00:01:44,547 --> 00:01:47,667 Speaker 3: with extended wider training groups. We've got two or three 33 00:01:47,707 --> 00:01:49,267 Speaker 3: hundred twenties that are here at the minute, so you're 34 00:01:49,307 --> 00:01:52,267 Speaker 3: at fifty three. So we were looking for a coach 35 00:01:52,307 --> 00:01:55,227 Speaker 3: to come in and support us in some capacity. But 36 00:01:56,267 --> 00:02:01,347 Speaker 3: obviously Alfley's previous relationship and connection here and you know, 37 00:02:01,387 --> 00:02:05,507 Speaker 3: his obvious expertise and experience. Then you know, that conversation 38 00:02:05,667 --> 00:02:09,107 Speaker 3: developed and too to a serious chart around could we 39 00:02:09,307 --> 00:02:10,907 Speaker 3: you know, could we make it working? And what was 40 00:02:10,947 --> 00:02:14,307 Speaker 3: his plans post All Blacks? And yeah, I guess we've 41 00:02:14,347 --> 00:02:16,227 Speaker 3: arrived at today where he's been in two days this 42 00:02:16,267 --> 00:02:17,067 Speaker 3: week helping coach. 43 00:02:17,147 --> 00:02:19,867 Speaker 4: So so exciting, it is exciting. 44 00:02:19,907 --> 00:02:24,107 Speaker 2: So what specific responsibilities do you see him having kind 45 00:02:24,107 --> 00:02:26,667 Speaker 2: of died to die and across the Super Rugby season. 46 00:02:27,227 --> 00:02:29,827 Speaker 4: Yeah, working with Coops around the attacking game. 47 00:02:30,827 --> 00:02:33,787 Speaker 3: You know, it's a big portfolio when it comes to 48 00:02:33,827 --> 00:02:35,787 Speaker 3: all different types of attack and in different ways we 49 00:02:35,907 --> 00:02:40,187 Speaker 3: now gain possession. Having Britain, you know, obviously is the 50 00:02:40,227 --> 00:02:44,187 Speaker 3: all Blacks line out coach again, between those three really 51 00:02:44,187 --> 00:02:47,747 Speaker 3: building our attacking game, you know. So we're walking through 52 00:02:47,747 --> 00:02:50,147 Speaker 3: that now with with Coops and Brnn and Alfy and 53 00:02:51,347 --> 00:02:54,267 Speaker 3: we genuinely have a real sort of collaborative approach around 54 00:02:54,267 --> 00:02:56,907 Speaker 3: of coaching here anyway and try and co coach different 55 00:02:56,947 --> 00:03:00,907 Speaker 3: areas of the game. So but yeah, in particular for 56 00:03:00,987 --> 00:03:03,347 Speaker 3: him around the you know, the phase attack, counter attack, 57 00:03:03,387 --> 00:03:07,147 Speaker 3: turnover attack, the areas that take a lot of work, 58 00:03:07,227 --> 00:03:09,307 Speaker 3: a lot of analysis. He can help us with that 59 00:03:09,427 --> 00:03:12,467 Speaker 3: and then you know that frees us all up to 60 00:03:12,467 --> 00:03:13,987 Speaker 3: to share the workload across the squad. 61 00:03:14,587 --> 00:03:17,307 Speaker 2: This perhaps might be a question for him, but how 62 00:03:17,347 --> 00:03:20,547 Speaker 2: do you reckon he'll go coming back into an assistant 63 00:03:20,627 --> 00:03:23,347 Speaker 2: role at the time he was head coach at previously. 64 00:03:25,227 --> 00:03:27,907 Speaker 3: Yeah, I mean, you're right, it's it's definitely a question 65 00:03:27,987 --> 00:03:29,867 Speaker 3: he can answer better than me. But from what I've 66 00:03:29,907 --> 00:03:34,227 Speaker 3: seen the last couple of days and the conversations we had, 67 00:03:34,267 --> 00:03:37,227 Speaker 3: and I think that was that was probably the clincher, 68 00:03:37,347 --> 00:03:41,227 Speaker 3: was his excitement to come in here and assist and 69 00:03:41,307 --> 00:03:44,227 Speaker 3: help both me and Coops and our roles. You know, 70 00:03:44,307 --> 00:03:46,227 Speaker 3: he was he was really excited and sort of passionate 71 00:03:46,307 --> 00:03:50,227 Speaker 3: around that part of the role and his passion for 72 00:03:50,307 --> 00:03:53,747 Speaker 3: making players better and. 73 00:03:52,667 --> 00:03:54,427 Speaker 4: Picking defenses apart as obvious. 74 00:03:54,547 --> 00:03:59,587 Speaker 3: So I den't see any any problems or issues with that. 75 00:03:59,827 --> 00:04:02,867 Speaker 3: You know, he's a there's no ego, you know, certainly 76 00:04:02,907 --> 00:04:06,627 Speaker 3: from my end around him being here before, and you 77 00:04:06,667 --> 00:04:09,227 Speaker 3: know we don't see any of that between him and Coops. 78 00:04:09,907 --> 00:04:13,387 Speaker 4: So yeah, I'm I'm all guns blazing on it. 79 00:04:13,387 --> 00:04:16,827 Speaker 3: We genuinely have loved timing the men already this week fantastic. 80 00:04:17,107 --> 00:04:19,147 Speaker 2: Were you surprised to left the old Blacks environment? 81 00:04:22,027 --> 00:04:23,627 Speaker 3: To be honest me, I haven't really thought about it, 82 00:04:24,267 --> 00:04:26,147 Speaker 3: and I haven't asked them. You know, It's not for 83 00:04:26,187 --> 00:04:29,987 Speaker 3: me to to worry too much around that. I'm sure 84 00:04:30,027 --> 00:04:31,907 Speaker 3: we have a few coffees and beers through the season, 85 00:04:32,187 --> 00:04:34,187 Speaker 3: you know, he might share around someone has thinking, but 86 00:04:35,347 --> 00:04:38,267 Speaker 3: in a sort of short term for us, you know, 87 00:04:38,267 --> 00:04:41,787 Speaker 3: I haven't given it too much thought, and I just 88 00:04:41,827 --> 00:04:45,027 Speaker 3: feel grateful and excited around the opportunity for him to 89 00:04:45,027 --> 00:04:45,427 Speaker 3: come here. 90 00:04:46,027 --> 00:04:49,147 Speaker 2: So you're in pre season. Now, what's the schedule between 91 00:04:49,147 --> 00:04:51,507 Speaker 2: now when when you play your first game on the 92 00:04:51,507 --> 00:04:53,507 Speaker 2: twentieth of February. What's the What are the next sort 93 00:04:53,507 --> 00:04:54,987 Speaker 2: of six to white weeks look like for the for 94 00:04:55,027 --> 00:04:55,707 Speaker 2: the Hurricanes. 95 00:04:56,187 --> 00:04:57,667 Speaker 4: Yeah, we've got a full week next week. 96 00:04:57,667 --> 00:05:01,507 Speaker 3: We finish up on the Saturday with the traditional sourfter peak. 97 00:05:02,467 --> 00:05:06,267 Speaker 4: I'm sure the players are started to look forward to. Yeah, 98 00:05:06,467 --> 00:05:07,267 Speaker 4: so that's the next start. 99 00:05:07,347 --> 00:05:09,787 Speaker 3: They have a breakthrough till the fifth where you know, 100 00:05:09,867 --> 00:05:14,947 Speaker 3: remote training obviously for the players and a little break 101 00:05:14,947 --> 00:05:17,547 Speaker 3: for the staff over Christmas in New Year, and then 102 00:05:17,827 --> 00:05:20,587 Speaker 3: say come back on the fifth and then yeah, with 103 00:05:20,667 --> 00:05:22,787 Speaker 3: three weeks planned out, and then the fourth week, as you. 104 00:05:22,747 --> 00:05:24,427 Speaker 4: Say, we play play the Blues up. 105 00:05:24,307 --> 00:05:27,787 Speaker 3: There and in the second preseason the Chiefs out at 106 00:05:27,787 --> 00:05:33,747 Speaker 3: Parua is the preseason program, and I think with you know, 107 00:05:33,747 --> 00:05:37,027 Speaker 3: we've got buy round one, which you know, I'm not 108 00:05:37,067 --> 00:05:39,307 Speaker 3: sure anybody wants to buy round one, but it's allowing 109 00:05:39,387 --> 00:05:42,547 Speaker 3: us to have a camp and also allowing us all 110 00:05:42,547 --> 00:05:45,907 Speaker 3: blacks and extra week to reintegrate into the squad. So 111 00:05:45,907 --> 00:05:48,267 Speaker 3: so yeah, we've got a sort of solid plan through 112 00:05:48,667 --> 00:05:53,187 Speaker 3: the camp week and then getting to Majana at home 113 00:05:53,387 --> 00:05:54,027 Speaker 3: in round two. 114 00:05:54,507 --> 00:05:56,627 Speaker 2: When do your frontline O Blacks come back in? 115 00:05:58,547 --> 00:06:00,747 Speaker 3: Yeah, the week of the week of the Blues game 116 00:06:00,867 --> 00:06:03,907 Speaker 3: is the official date they've got an All Black camp. 117 00:06:04,587 --> 00:06:06,547 Speaker 3: I think it's I think it's maybe the ninety into 118 00:06:06,587 --> 00:06:09,947 Speaker 3: twentieth of January. They've got the All Black commercial window 119 00:06:10,027 --> 00:06:13,547 Speaker 3: where you know they're in and out a bit with 120 00:06:13,627 --> 00:06:19,187 Speaker 3: commitments to the commercial window, but alimlely that week we 121 00:06:19,307 --> 00:06:21,947 Speaker 3: played the Blues, they're in full time. So again we've 122 00:06:21,947 --> 00:06:24,827 Speaker 3: met all the All Blacks. We've had a few in 123 00:06:24,947 --> 00:06:27,627 Speaker 3: training in and around the facility, not not with the team, 124 00:06:27,707 --> 00:06:30,907 Speaker 3: but you know, doing their own things. So so yeah, 125 00:06:30,907 --> 00:06:33,747 Speaker 3: we feel quite clear and planned around that integration. I 126 00:06:33,787 --> 00:06:36,787 Speaker 3: think we've managed that a little bit better than maybe 127 00:06:36,907 --> 00:06:39,347 Speaker 3: last year's off season. And the bodies are you know, 128 00:06:39,387 --> 00:06:41,227 Speaker 3: we had two of these surgeries coming at the back 129 00:06:41,347 --> 00:06:43,907 Speaker 3: end of the All Blacks. 130 00:06:44,387 --> 00:06:44,987 Speaker 4: You know, guys like. 131 00:06:44,947 --> 00:06:47,467 Speaker 3: Tyrell have had surgeries but obviously had it way earlier. 132 00:06:47,627 --> 00:06:51,587 Speaker 3: So we're hopeful all players will be ready fit healthy 133 00:06:52,547 --> 00:06:54,147 Speaker 3: by Round two against Mona. 134 00:06:54,307 --> 00:06:57,387 Speaker 2: Is it still a learning process pre season. I don't know, 135 00:06:57,467 --> 00:07:00,147 Speaker 2: does it ever feel like you'll absolutely nil it and 136 00:07:00,187 --> 00:07:02,467 Speaker 2: get it completely right. It just seems like such a 137 00:07:02,507 --> 00:07:05,027 Speaker 2: hard thing to get right with Christmas in the middle 138 00:07:05,027 --> 00:07:07,387 Speaker 2: of it. It's still bloody hot, all that sort of stuff, 139 00:07:07,587 --> 00:07:09,707 Speaker 2: and All Black's coming back a bit lighter. Is it 140 00:07:09,787 --> 00:07:11,747 Speaker 2: still a sort of a learning process? 141 00:07:12,347 --> 00:07:15,147 Speaker 3: I think the thing that always changes, mate, is the context. 142 00:07:15,987 --> 00:07:17,147 Speaker 3: You know, it was the first year. 143 00:07:17,027 --> 00:07:18,307 Speaker 4: We had had any all Blacks. 144 00:07:18,347 --> 00:07:20,827 Speaker 3: Everybody was here from day one apart from two players 145 00:07:21,627 --> 00:07:22,467 Speaker 3: were ripped. 146 00:07:22,187 --> 00:07:24,347 Speaker 4: In and started the season really well. 147 00:07:24,427 --> 00:07:27,027 Speaker 3: Last year we had loads of surgeries, guys injured out 148 00:07:27,027 --> 00:07:30,947 Speaker 3: with All Black fifteen all Blacks, so that context was 149 00:07:30,947 --> 00:07:34,627 Speaker 3: completely different. So between the two A certainly fuel this 150 00:07:34,747 --> 00:07:37,947 Speaker 3: year as a staff, we've been more prepared and ready 151 00:07:37,947 --> 00:07:40,107 Speaker 3: to adapt and change based on the context. 152 00:07:41,107 --> 00:07:43,427 Speaker 4: So I've really enjoyed the work the staff. 153 00:07:43,427 --> 00:07:46,667 Speaker 3: I've done, the thought of put into what content we 154 00:07:46,787 --> 00:07:49,787 Speaker 3: use pre Christmas for a rugby we're trying to get 155 00:07:49,827 --> 00:07:54,267 Speaker 3: a little bit more organized from our structure perspective that'll 156 00:07:54,307 --> 00:07:58,787 Speaker 3: allow us to accelerate different areas after Christmas. So yeah, 157 00:07:58,827 --> 00:08:00,987 Speaker 3: the context is always different, mate, But you know, third 158 00:08:01,067 --> 00:08:04,627 Speaker 3: year in I certainly feel the cohesiveness of the coaching 159 00:08:04,667 --> 00:08:08,187 Speaker 3: group and s and season physio. I've allowed us to 160 00:08:08,227 --> 00:08:11,827 Speaker 3: be prepared for the different types of scenarios and contacts, 161 00:08:11,907 --> 00:08:14,107 Speaker 3: and I feel like we'd have had at the wave. 162 00:08:14,187 --> 00:08:16,267 Speaker 3: Are we better owned where we wore? Maybe last year? 163 00:08:16,267 --> 00:08:19,027 Speaker 2: In particular, good man Clark, Well, good piece of business 164 00:08:19,067 --> 00:08:21,707 Speaker 2: getting Jason Holland back into the camp. Look forward to 165 00:08:22,067 --> 00:08:24,787 Speaker 2: catching up in twenty twenty six as the season draws closer. 166 00:08:25,467 --> 00:08:27,107 Speaker 4: Sounds good, mate, see you that, see you. 167 00:08:27,027 --> 00:08:30,427 Speaker 2: Then, Clark. Thanks indeed. Clark laid Law coach of the Hurricanes, 168 00:08:30,467 --> 00:08:36,227 Speaker 2: head coach joined by Jason Holland, former head coach of 169 00:08:36,267 --> 00:08:41,587 Speaker 2: the team, former assistant coach of the All Blacks. It's yeah, 170 00:08:42,307 --> 00:08:45,627 Speaker 2: everything you've like, I've had a I live in Hurricanes territory, 171 00:08:46,027 --> 00:08:49,787 Speaker 2: and everything I've seen from Clark laid Law is completely collaborative. 172 00:08:50,347 --> 00:08:53,187 Speaker 2: He he you know what he said there. He will 173 00:08:53,187 --> 00:08:57,227 Speaker 2: be completely unthreatened by Jason Holland coming in. Some head 174 00:08:57,227 --> 00:08:59,227 Speaker 2: coaches might have been all jeep, as this guy want 175 00:08:59,307 --> 00:09:02,027 Speaker 2: my job. He was he had this job. He might be, 176 00:09:02,187 --> 00:09:04,547 Speaker 2: you know, angling to get the head coaching job back. 177 00:09:04,667 --> 00:09:07,227 Speaker 2: Clark laid Law won't feel that at all. It's just 178 00:09:07,587 --> 00:09:10,107 Speaker 2: I reckon he'll be stoked to have Jason Holland back. 179 00:09:10,187 --> 00:09:12,627 Speaker 2: The two of them clearly get on very well, have 180 00:09:12,747 --> 00:09:15,427 Speaker 2: stayed in touch in the time since Jason Holland's gone 181 00:09:15,427 --> 00:09:17,827 Speaker 2: into the All Blacks and Clark's been the Hurricanes coach, 182 00:09:18,227 --> 00:09:20,787 Speaker 2: and now they get to work together. Jason Holland loves 183 00:09:20,827 --> 00:09:24,467 Speaker 2: the Hurricanes and loves the game of rugby. I think 184 00:09:24,467 --> 00:09:28,187 Speaker 2: this is brilliant for him and it also again raises 185 00:09:28,307 --> 00:09:31,827 Speaker 2: questions about what on earth happened inside that All Blacks 186 00:09:32,267 --> 00:09:35,307 Speaker 2: coaching environment for a guy who loves the game of 187 00:09:35,387 --> 00:09:38,307 Speaker 2: rugby as much as Jason Holland does. Look, here's a 188 00:09:38,307 --> 00:09:40,427 Speaker 2: guy who, when he was Hurricanes' head coach, if the 189 00:09:40,507 --> 00:09:42,627 Speaker 2: Hurricanes didn't have a game, he'd go and watch a 190 00:09:42,627 --> 00:09:45,707 Speaker 2: club game. He'd drive up to Palmerston North to his 191 00:09:45,787 --> 00:09:48,107 Speaker 2: old stamping ground up there and watch a club game. 192 00:09:48,827 --> 00:09:52,787 Speaker 2: He absolutely loves the game of rugby and coaching the 193 00:09:52,827 --> 00:09:55,387 Speaker 2: game of rugby and being involved in the game of rugby. 194 00:09:55,987 --> 00:09:59,587 Speaker 2: And when you reach the very top of coaching in 195 00:09:59,627 --> 00:10:01,707 Speaker 2: New Zealand, which is being part of the All Blacks 196 00:10:02,027 --> 00:10:07,067 Speaker 2: coaching set up, and then you voluntarily elect to leave 197 00:10:07,067 --> 00:10:11,707 Speaker 2: that environment, it leaves a lot of unanswered questions. I 198 00:10:11,787 --> 00:10:14,267 Speaker 2: was really interested to read Liam Napier in the New 199 00:10:14,347 --> 00:10:18,227 Speaker 2: Zealand Herald today under the headline pressure builds on All 200 00:10:18,227 --> 00:10:23,107 Speaker 2: Blacks coaches as internal frustrations emerge. I would urge you 201 00:10:23,147 --> 00:10:25,347 Speaker 2: to have a read of that if you're a Rugby fan. 202 00:10:26,987 --> 00:10:29,947 Speaker 2: First couple of paragraphs from Liam New Zealand Rugby is 203 00:10:29,947 --> 00:10:33,747 Speaker 2: court at a delicate crossroads as it digs into the 204 00:10:33,787 --> 00:10:36,307 Speaker 2: shaky state of the All Blacks. No one expected the 205 00:10:36,307 --> 00:10:40,107 Speaker 2: All Blacks to be here attempting to address an unhappy 206 00:10:40,107 --> 00:10:46,347 Speaker 2: camp and amend underwhelming performances midway through this four year cycle. 207 00:10:46,427 --> 00:10:50,707 Speaker 2: It's a really telling piece from Liam Napier, who probably 208 00:10:50,787 --> 00:10:54,347 Speaker 2: more than most understands the inner workings of the All 209 00:10:54,347 --> 00:10:58,307 Speaker 2: Blacks and the All Blacks coaching setup. But for Jason Holland, 210 00:10:58,547 --> 00:11:01,987 Speaker 2: he's back in an environment which he loved before and 211 00:11:02,027 --> 00:11:05,107 Speaker 2: I'm sure will love again. And I think all Hurricanes 212 00:11:05,107 --> 00:11:08,667 Speaker 2: fans almost unequivocal you have welcomed him back with open arms. 213 00:11:09,147 --> 00:11:12,307 Speaker 1: For more from Weekends Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 214 00:11:12,427 --> 00:11:15,707 Speaker 1: to news talks at b Weekends from midday or follow 215 00:11:15,747 --> 00:11:17,347 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio,