Jason Holland returns to Hurricanes ahead of 2026 season

The Hurricanes announced the return of former coach Jason Holland to the club ahead of the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific campaign.

Previously a Hurricanes assistant coach from 2016 to 2019, and then head coach from 2020 to 2023, Holland will bolster the club’s coaching staff as he reprises his role as an assistant for next season.

Led by head coach Clark Laidlaw, Holland joins a coaching team that includes fellow assistants Jamie Mackintosh, Cory Jane, Brad Cooper, and Bryn Evans. 

“I’m hugely grateful and excited by the opportunity to be back at the Hurricanes,” Holland said.

“It's been awesome working alongside a great group of staff and players in the first few days since I've been back. They've created an exciting brand of Hurricanes rugby, so I’m expecting the upcoming season to be a lot of fun.”

The 53-year-old brings plenty of experience to the Hurricanes, including his two-year spell as an All Blacks assistant coach in 2024 and 2025. It was announced in October that Holland would depart his role with the All Blacks following the team’s recent Northern Tour.

During his initial stint with the Hurricanes, Holland was part of the coaching group that delivered the club its sole Super Rugby title in 2016. 

Prior to his involvement with the Hurricanes, Holland enjoyed a successful period as Munster assistant coach, claiming a Heineken Cup, two Celtic League titles and a British & Irish Cup between 2008 and 2012, before winning the 2013 NPC as a Canterbury assistant coach.

As a player, Holland represented both Manawatū and Taranaki in the NPC before making more than 100 appearances for Munster. 

In a career that spanned 15 seasons, Holland won the Heineken Cup, Celtic League, and Celtic Cup as a first-five and midfielder for Munster, and played one match for Ireland A in 2001.

“We’re hugely excited to have Alfie return to the club and assist us for the season ahead,” Hurricanes head coach Clark Laidlaw said.

“He obviously has a wealth of experience, not only at the Hurricanes as a head coach and attack coach, but also in the last couple of years with the All Blacks.

“We feel that, with his experience and ability and knowledge to help us with our attacking game, he’ll be a huge asset.”

Laidlaw added that with an increased squad, as well as Holland’s experience and availability, it made sense to bring him back to the club.

“With the squad going up to 50 players during pre-season, we were looking for a coach to come in and help,” Laidlaw said.

“The timing and opportunity for Alfie to come in, and his excitement and enthusiasm for the role, was too good to miss.

“For me as the head coach, having someone who has been a head coach of a Super Rugby club, and understands the demands of that, gives us a real second pair of eyes around our environment week-to-week.

“We’re massively excited and really enjoyed welcoming him back to the club, and look forward to building our relationship within our coaching team through pre-season to assist the players.”

Jason Holland

Date of Birth: 12 August 1972 (53-years-old)
Place of Birth: New Plymouth
Position: Hurricanes Assistant Coach
Playing Career: Manawatū (1991-1996), Taranaki (1997-1998), Munster (1999-2006), Ireland A (2001)
Playing Honours: Celtic League (2003), Celtic Cup (2005), Heineken Cup (2006)
Coaching Career: Munster Assistant Coach (2008-2012), Canterbury Assistant Coach (2013-2015), Crusaders Development Coach (2014-2015), Hurricanes Assistant Coach (2016-2019), Hurricanes Head Coach (2020-2023), All Blacks Assistant Coach (2024-2025)
Coaching Honours: Heineken Cup (2008), 2x Celtic League (2009, 2011), British & Irish Cup (2012), NPC (2013), Super Rugby (2016), 2x Bledisloe Cup (2024, 2025)