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Hurricanes coaches set to stay onboard after contract extensions

(Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)

Head coach Jason Holland and assistant coach Chris Gibbes have extended their contracts with the Hurricanes and New Zealand Rugby (NZR) through to the end of 2023.

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Holland guided the Hurricanes to five Super Rugby Aotearoa wins in a row during his first season in charge after taking over for the 2020 season when predecessor John Plumtree joined the All Blacks coaching group.

Holland, who joined the Hurricanes coaching team in 2015, said he had thoroughly enjoyed his first season as head coach and was excited at the prospect of taking the playing group forward over the next two years.

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“We have a quality group of people who like to be challenged and want to win. We played some excellent rugby through the second half of last season and proved we can beat anybody on our day and now the challenge is to make that a habit.

“I’m expecting big things in 2021 and beyond from this talented playing and coaching group. We have a great mix of experienced and younger athletes coming through the ranks and we also have some excellent additions to our management group who are making a big impact already.”

Gibbes, who joined the Hurricanes in 2020 following a successful tenure as head coach of the Wellington Lions, said he was looking forward to building on his first season in Super Rugby.

“The Hurricanes are an awesome organisation and team to work for and I’m just stoked that I’ve got another two years. I feel very privileged.

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“Super Rugby Aotearoa is a challenging competition to be involved in and that’s what I like, in fact it’s driving me harder than ever before.

“‘Alfie’ [Holland] has a got a good leadership style and I like the vision he has for where the team can go. He knows what he wants and is really clear with that.”

Hurricanes CEO Avan Lee said: “Alfie and ‘Gibbo’ [Gibbes] have formed an excellent relationship since they started coaching together at the Hurricanes.

“Both men are highly respected by players and staff and have already made a significant contribution to our organisation. We are delighted that they have chosen to extend their contracts until the end of 2023.”

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NZR head of professional rugby and performance Chris Lendrum said:

“Jason and Chris are both quality coaches and people who have been successful in professional competitions both overseas and in New Zealand.

“We are really pleased they will continue to share their experience and knowledge in Super Rugby Aotearoa for the next two years.”

– Hurricanes Rugby

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R
RedWarrior 1 hour ago
Three-way race to be number one in World Rugby men's rankings

IF SA and NZ win then its 1,2,3 SA/NZ/IRL Otherwise as you were. This is largely irrelevant beyond bragging rights.


As I have pointed out elsewhere the practical use of the Rankings is to determine the seedings bands for the RWC draw. The draw takes place early 2026 and hopefully the rankings will be taken from then.


Important to be in the top 6, the top 12. (and likely the top 4).

This is because there are now 6 groups in the RWC 2027.

If you are in top 6 you are in Seeding Band 1. That means none of the other top 6 will be in your group.

Seeding Band 2 are teams from 7-12, who will have a top 6 team but no other 7-12 team.

After England's defeat by NZ there is clear water between NZ in 3rd, France in 4th and England in 5th. England are desperate for top4, ill come back and explain why later.

Lets look at Seeding Band 1 and 6th place. If you make 6th, no top 6 team is in your group, you are top dog. If you win your group, you won't be facing a top 6 team in your 1/8th final, you will be facing a weaker team. If you fail to make 6th place you WILL have a top 6 team in your group and if you don't win your group you WILL (probably) meet a top 6 in the 1/8 final. That's massive.


Its Argentina holding 6th now. Assuming England hold 5th, then its a 4 horse race for 6th. Argentina, Scotland, Italy and ...Australia. (ranked 6,7,8,9)

Australia play the Lions in NH summer 2025 they are running out of time to get up to 6th for their own RWC. They MUST make a move now. They must beat Wales and they really must beat Scotland to gain points and take points off them. Could they surprise England or Ireland? England may be the better bet but Schmidt knows Ireland so well having masterminded their downfall in France.

Another one to watch is Italy V Argentina. Italy are ambitious and they will want to start pushing the likes of Argentina. If they win this they are still in the hunt. Well worth a watch either way.


Top4: I think the top 6 will be seeded, all the way through from the draw. If thats the case then the top 4 will be seeded to avoid each other until the semi. Good for more certainty around ticket sales etc. That's a possible reason why England want in there. You're not in there you are hitting a top 4 team in a QF. That's an extra 50:50 match you can do without and avoid by being top 4.


Lets look at what Seeding bands might look like with todays rankings:


Seeding Band 1

IRE/SA/NZ/FRA/ENG/ARG

Seeding Band 2

SCO/ITA/AUS/FIJ/WAL/GEO


Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if in top 6

Strongest pool opponent: FIJI

1/8 final opponent GEORGIA

Prognosis: advance to 1/4 and potentially beyond


Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if NOT in top 6

Strongest pool opponent: SOUTH AFRICA

1/8 final opponent NEW ZEALAND

Prognosis: You know the prognosis


I am pretty sure this is not lost on Joe Schmidt?


Keep in mind when enjoying the matches.

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