Jason Holland to depart Hurricanes following 2026 Super Rugby Pacific

The Hurricanes can confirm that assistant coach Jason Holland will depart the club following the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season.

Holland leaves the Hurricanes to fill the Blues head coach position from next season. 

He remains fully committed to the Hurricanes throughout the 2026 campaign, where he will play a key role within the club’s coaching group.

“It’s meant a lot to me to return to the club this season after a few years away,” Holland said.

“While I’m excited about what lies ahead at the Blues, my focus remains solely on doing everything I can to bring the Super Rugby Pacific title to the Hurricanes.”

Confirmation of Holland’s departure comes after it was announced in December that he would return to the Hurricanes this season after having previously served as a head coach and assistant coach for the club between 2016 and 2023.

During that period, he helped the Hurricanes secure the 2016 Super Rugby title as an assistant coach.

Holland re-joined the Hurricanes after two years as an All Blacks assistant coach. Prior to that, he held coaching roles with Munster and Canterbury, and enjoyed a lengthy playing career with Manawatū, Taranaki, Munster, and Ireland A.

Interim Hurricanes chief executive Tony Philp acknowledged Holland’s contributions this season and reinforced his commitment to the club throughout the remainder of the campaign.

 “We are proud of Alfie and all he has done for our club, and we look forward to his efforts during the rest of the 2026 season,” Philp said.

“He has the utmost integrity and will do all he can for the Hurricanes in our pursuit of winning the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific title.

“He will always be a Hurricane, and we look forward to doing battle with him in the coming seasons.”