'Lone Survivor': Jason Ryan - the last man standing after All Blacks shake-up

Tuesday, 30 June 2026

'Have you seen Lone Survivor?''

The reference to a movie about four US Navy SEALS stuck in Afghanistan was forwards coach Jason Ryan's way of responding to a question about how he would sum up his time with the All Blacks.

It was followed by a loud cackle. Ryan had made his point.

Amid the turbulence generated by NZ Rugby and the All Blacks in recent seasons, Ryan has held his ground.

Since joining the All Blacks in mid-2022 Ryan has worked under three bosses in Ian Foster, Scott Robertson and Dave Rennie.

Ryan wasn't the only person to avoid being axed under new coach Rennie - the majority of players and several members of the management group have also been retained - but he was the sole member of Robertson's coaching group to stay while others got their marching orders.

The first to go was Robertson in January. Scott Hansen and Tamaiti Ellison followed him a few months later.

Another assistant, Jason Holland, had already exited after announcing he wouldn't seek re-appointment beyond 2025. Hansen will coach the Crusaders next year and Ellison will assist Holland when he coaches the Blues.

Ryan may not be the beating heart of the All Blacks' operation, but he's a vital artery that pumps information into the players and provides feedback to the coach.

And that will be important ahead of the first Nations Championship test against France in Christchurch on Saturday night.

'I just do my job the best that I can,'' Ryan said.

He then referred to the changes forced by NZ Rugby following the dumping of Robertson.

'There have been a few spanners thrown in there, and a few different moving parts,'' Ryan added.

'I would like to say, personally, I have just stayed pure to who I am and have been lucky enough to get an opportunity with Rens and this crew and really looking forward to it.''

Under the fresh regime led by Rennie, Neil Barnes will take on the role of senior assistant and focus on the lineout. Ryan will concentrate on the scrum and maul.

Ryan was invited to join the All Blacks four years ago when then-coach Foster issued an SOS because he had sacked John Plumtree after the 2-1 series loss to Ireland in the winter of 2022.

The arrival of Scott Robertson in 2024 coincided with a major clean-out but Ryan, who had previously worked under Robertson at the Crusaders, was asked to stay.

NZ Rugby's decision to sack Robertson with two years left on his contract resulted in Rennie filling the vacant role. He, like his predecessors, also believed Ryan was worth retaining.

'It meant a lot, I want to coach my country,'' Ryan said in reference to being retained by the third coach in four years.

'There's no other team that I would rather coach in the world than the All Blacks, you know. It's a special team. It meant a lot to me.

'I couldn't control any thoughts but he was really clear he wanted me and didn't talk anything about his other coaching staff which I really respect, and was professional, and looking getting to on with it.''

In addition to recruiting former All Blacks captain Tana Umaga to take control of the defence portfolio, former Scotland halfback Mike Blair will be in charge of the attack.

Former Highlanders hooker Ash Dixon has also joined the squad to assist with tasks such as lineout throwing.

The All Blacks will have completed six training sessions before they play France and Ryan was enthusiastic about Rennie's ability to get his message across clearly and concisely.

'Unbelievable,'' Ryan said. 'Tremendously clear on what he wants. Pretty strong in his messages about what was needed and what was required, which was great, especially for a forwards coach.''

The All Blacks should have a fully fit squad to choose from before the match against the Six Nations champions.

Injured lock Fabian Holland, not named in this squad because he is still recovering from a shoulder operation, appears a good chance to tour South Africa in August and September but tighthead prop Tamaiti Williams is highly unlikely to have fully recovered from an infection in his spine.

The All Blacks will name their team to play France on Thursday.