Jason Holland- What a Lad
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Jason Holland, one of New Zealand rugby's most respected coaches, opens up about the emotional and physical toll of elite sport, revealing that he didn't truly understand the discipline required to be a professional player until his late 20s at Munster. Now transitioning into a head coaching role with the Blues, he reflects on how the pressure of the All Blacks assistant role caused him to lose touch with what made him effective—coaching with a smile, staying relaxed, and trusting his instincts. He shares candidly about the sacrifices his family made, the importance of mental recovery, and how he’s refocused on people development and joy in coaching. His journey—from a late-blooming player who once played in a club game at 38, to a world-class coach who values player ownership and innovation—reveals a philosophy built on authenticity, reflection, and fun. As he prepares for a new chapter with the Blues, his core message is clear: success isn’t about control, but about being yourself, enjoying the process, and helping others thrive. Holland’s insights go beyond rugby, offering a blueprint for leadership: define your core beliefs early, stay flexible, and never lose the joy. He champions player autonomy, the power of play in training (inspired by Cirque du Soleil), and the need to balance high performance with mental well-being. His advice to young coaches—be clear on your 'why' and protect your identity—resonates as both a professional mantra and a life principle.
You don’t become a pro athlete until you stop treating training like a side hustle—Jason didn’t grasp that until age 25, despite playing at varsity.
The All Blacks assistant role taught Jason that pressure can make you forget your core strengths—coaching with a smile and staying relaxed is what makes you effective.
Family sacrifice is real: moving kids across continents taught them resilience, but it’s only sustainable with full emotional buy-in from your support system.
The best coaching isn’t about control—it’s about creating space for players to own their roles and innovate, like the 'juay' time at Cirque du Soleil.
Be crystal clear on your 'why' as a coach—without a strong belief in your philosophy, you’ll just be facilitating, not coaching.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
The Footy Legacy: From Midnight Matches to Lifelong Passion
Jason recalls growing up in a rugby-obsessed household, watching games with his father at 3 a.m., and the deep cultural roots of the sport in his life, from Tukopa club games to early days in Naki.
The Late Bloomer: From 'Hopeless' to Professional
Jason admits he was a poor athlete in his youth, only realizing the physical demands of professional rugby after joining Munster at 25, regretting years of underperformance.
The All Blacks Rollercoaster: Pressure, Identity, and Reconnection
“I think at times over the last couple of years, I've forgotten what I'm good at. Maybe not forgotten, but haven't quite nailed the bits that I'm good at when I'm nice and relaxed and coaching exactly the way I want to coach.”
The Canes Comeback: Coaching with Freedom and Fun
Jason describes his return to the Hurricanes as a chance to reconnect with his love for the game, working with Koops on attack and enjoying the environment, people, and player ownership.
The Mindset Shift: From Player to Coach to Mentor
Jason shares how his coaching philosophy evolved—from facilitating to actively coaching—after Roger O’Gara called him out for not coaching, and how he now prioritizes people development.
“Be really sure on what you want to do and then make sure you have fun doing it because that's really relevant to me once you're sure what you want to do.”
“I think at times over the last couple of years, I've forgotten what I'm good at. Maybe not forgotten, but haven't quite nailed the bits that I'm good at when I'm nice and relaxed and coaching exactly the way I want to coach.”
“You don't get away with too much in that Canes environment. That's how I like it.”
Host
Guest
Jason Holland
person
Hurricanes
other
Munster
other
All Blacks
other
Canterbury
other
Blues
other
Bordy
person
Naki
other
Scotty Hansen
person
Anjan
person
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