Jason Holland Rules Himself Out of Munster Coaching Role

Jason Holland v2

The position became vacant after former England and British & Irish Lions prop Graham Rowntree resigned last week.

But Holland, 52, who began his coaching career with Munster once his playing career was finished and who said before returning to New Zealand that he would like to return to coach Munster one day, ruled himself out on this occasion.

On Monday, he told Irish media at the All Blacks' training, "No, I'm busy here. I've got a pretty awesome job, which I'm loving, so not at this stage.

"I had an awesome time at Munster. I was watching on telly and the atmosphere at Thomond Park last weekend and it looked every bit as fun to play as it always was."

The All Blacks are involved in a six-day turnaround after their 24-22 win over England, and Holland said their focus is understanding how they are going to prepare to play Ireland.

"Physically and mentally, you've got to get it right. We've done that pretty well. We had a travel day yesterday and a bit of info for the boys today – little bits and pieces.

"They'll have a day off tomorrow and Wednesday will be like a normal Thursday. We've got some pretty smart people here in our medical and physical group and [they] have set it up really well for us."

With Johnny Sexton no longer running the side's tactical on-field approach, the All Blacks are aware of the quality five-eighths who have stepped into his role.

"They have a couple of young tens that are stepping up but have been in the environment for a long time, in and out, and slot into the way Ireland play. They understand what winning footy is when Ireland plays winning footy.

 

"They'll transition well. They have some senior guys around them in their centres and then Jamo [Jamison Gibson-Park] has been around for a long time as well, so it has been pretty smooth from what we've seen."

Holland said Ireland had achieved a balance of youth and experience, and they played a synchronised game. He has been impressed with the ball-in-hand play.

"I've enjoyed the way they're attacking. Some of the lines they run, some of their options at the line, multiple options, the way they play. 

"Like any good Irish side, they're built on their work rate and their ability to go to war for each other. That hasn't changed over the years.

"Maybe they've got a little bit more in their game than was the case when I was around here. So when you've got a team that works as hard as they do, and couple it with their skillset and their attacking structures, it makes them into the good side they are."

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