Nov 05,2024
Former Munster centre Jason Holland, who had previously expressed an interest in returning to the province in a coaching capacity, has ruled himself out of contention for the vacant head coach position.
Holland played over 100 times for Munster between 1999 and 2008 and coached at the club for a further four years.
He joined New Zealand in 2024 as backs coach after a four-year spell as head coach with the Hurricanes.
"No, I'm busy, I’m busy here," Holland said when asked if he would be interested in the Munster job. "So, you know, not me.
"I’ve got a pretty awesome job at the moment, which I’m loving, so not at this stage."
Meanwhile, Holland says the All Blacks have been impressed with Ireland’s evolution since their last meeting.
The southern hemisphere side prevailed 28-24 in a World Cup quarter-final in Paris, with Johnny Sexton retiring from rugby following the defeat.
The relative ease that Munster out-half Jack Crowley has stepped into Sexton’s shoes has been remarked upon as Ireland retained their Six Nations crown and left South Africa with a series draw in the summer.
In addition, Ciarán Frawley has established himself as a preferred back-up.
"I think they've done really well [without Sexton]," said the 52-year-old ahead of Friday night's 8.10pm kick-off at Aviva Stadium.
"They've got a couple of young 10s who are really stepping up.
"They've been in the environment a long time, in and out, but they slide into the way Ireland play and they understand what winning footy is.
"They've transitioned really well with some pretty senior guys around their 10, with their 12s and 13s, and Jamo [Gibson-Park] at 9 has been around a while.
"Their transition has been pretty smooth from what we can see."
Since the World Cup, New Zealand finished second in the Rugby Championship, losing at home to Argentina and twice to South Africa.
After Saturday’s 24-22 win over England they are relishing another shot at Andy Farrell’s side with the teams building up a fine catalogue of clashes, both winning four games each in the last eight years.
"I suppose the rivalry is built on how competitive the games are, isn’t it?" he added.
"There hasn’t been much in it between the two teams the last few years. It’s a really healthy competitive nature and it sets itself nicely for Friday night.
"I’ve enjoyed the way they [Ireland] are attacking. Some of the lines they run, some of their options at the line, multiple options, the way they play, I really enjoy that.
"And I suppose 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, has it?
"Maybe they’ve got a little bit more in their game than what was the case when I was around here.
"So yeah, when you’ve got a team that works as hard as they do and coupled with their skillset and their attacking structures, it makes them into the good side that they are."
