‘Respected’: High performance heavyweight Don Tricker returns to NZ Rugby

Tuesday, 5 May 2026

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High performance expert Don Tricker will return to NZ Rugby.

Tricker, who worked for NZ Rugby between 2010-18 before joining the San Diego Padres in Major League Baseball, will work for NZ Rugby as the organisation’s high performance director.

While NZ Rugby is still searching a chief executive officer to replace Mark Robinson, who departed at the end of last year, the appointment of Tricker, a former Black Sox softball coach, will be regarded as another important step in overhauling the organisation.

Don Tricker will return to work for NZ Rugby.

Tricker will join NZ Rugby in November after completing his commitment with the Padres, where he is vice president, player health & performance.

A transition plan is in place that will see Tricker spend time in NZ Rugby’s high performance system and national team environments throughout 2026.

NZ Rugby said the role will require Tricker to provide leadership over the high performance system, including driving winning national teams, player pathways and coach development.

'Don brings a track record of delivering success across elite high-performance environments and we look forward to the impact he will make,’’ NZ Rugby interim CEO Steve Lancaster said.

Lancaster said Tricker was “highly-respected and has a deep understanding of elite coaching, player development and New Zealand rugby’’.

“This role has a singular focus on driving our national teams to consistently win. Don will lead a high performance system that is aligned from pathways through to our national teams, with a clear focus on driving a performance culture that reflects the unique identity of New Zealand rugby.”

Tricker said he was looking forward to dealing with All Blacks coach Dave Rennie and Black Ferns coach Whitney Hansen, the national team programmes and the high performance team.

“Put simply, my role is about creating a system that develops players that our national teams want to select,’’ Tricker said.

“To do that we need to be working in partnership with provincial unions and Super Rugby clubs.

“Whilst I remain absolutely committed to the Padres, there are windows throughout the baseball season that will allow me to spend time with NZR staff and teams. This will be a period of discovery and understanding the here and now.”