Why assistant coach Jason Holland made shock decision to depart All Blacks

Thursday, 23 October 2025

Jason Holland appeared to have no regrets when he spoke about his shock decision to walk away from the All Blacks on Thursday.

When the All Blacks complete their Grand Slam tour of Chicago and Britain, assistant coach Holland will shake the hand of his boss Scott Robertson, wave farewell to the players and no longer be employed by NZ Rugby.

Holland and Robertson stood in front of reporters at College Rifles Rugby Club - they did their interviews separately - in Auckland to provide their views on why they will go their separate ways.

The first to take questions was Holland.

'No major thing has triggered it,'' he said. 'It's just around me thinking what's best for me.''

Holland said there were no bust-ups with Robertson. But with his two-year contract set to expire at the end of 2025, he elected not to ask NZ Rugby for a renewal.

'Nothing more than robust discussions,'' Holland said when asked if he and Robertson had clashed.

'We have got a similar sort of mindset around the game, and the innovations that we want to see … we haven't had any set-tos or anything like that. He would probably beat me in a fight anyway.''

Holland is the second member of Robertson's coaching staff to depart, with Leon MacDonald exiting mid-way through the Rugby Championship last year.

Jason Ryan and Scott Hansen remain from the original cast that joined Robertson when he replaced previous head coach Ian Foster. Tamati Ellison became a fulltime member of the group when MacDonald departed, and lineout mentor Bryn Evans came on board at the start of this season.

Holland said his decision was based on what was best for himself.

He made the call to quit after the second Bledisloe Cup test against the Wallabies in Perth on October 4.

'When you get towards the end of a contract you think about what's next, and my gut feel has told me that the best thing for me is to move on,'' Holland stated.

'It's been a massive privilege to be involved with such quality people, both management and players. But it is just a bit of a gut feel and time to move on.

'I am really grateful for what the last couple of years have given me and really excited about the next four or five weeks as well.''

The All Blacks will depart on Friday for Chicago where they will play Ireland on November 2.

Holland said he told the players on Thursday morning that it would be his last tour with the group.

Robertson said there had been no pressure from the NZ Rugby board to make changes to his coaching staff and that he and Holland remained friends.

'He spoke with a lot of care to the group and with a lot of heart,'' Robertson said when reflecting on Holland's decision to tell the squad that the northern tour would be his last hurrah.

'He said it's his time and we will finish strong. It's hard to hear. What he said is from his heart, and he made a decision and we respect that.''

Robertson said had not contemplated whether to bring a replacement for 2026 which shapes as one of the busiest of the modern era.

The All Blacks will play 17 games, which will include a gruelling tour of South Africa.

Robertson said he accepted Holland's decision and will now focus on the Grand Slam.

'You have a discussion and you think what's best for your family and you take a couple more days and he came back to me and said 'no, this is the call I am going to make','' Robertson said.

'And you get on with it.''