Hurricanes Coach and former All Blacks lock Bryn Evans is joining Scott Robertson’s All Blacks coaching team.
Evans, the former Hawke’s Bay, Blues and Hurricanes lock, featured in two tests off the bench for the All Blacks in 2009. He then played extensively in Europe for London Irish, Biarritz and Sale before returning for a two-year stint at the Highlanders.
Since hanging up his boots, Evans moved into coaching with the Hurricanes and Hawke’s Bay last year, assuming charge of the lineout and restarts. He now finds himself swiftly elevated to the All Blacks coaching ranks after impressing Robertson and forwards coach Jason Ryan with his lineout recall and nous.
“He brings a unique skillset with his work with the Hurricanes and Hawke’s Bay,” Ryan said of Evans, who will join the All Blacks for their full 13-test calendar before returning to the Hurricanes next year.
“What I like is he’s got a lateral thinking ability about him. He’s an ex-lineout caller; he had 12-plus years playing in the UK and France, which gives him a broad range of experience and an understanding of the northern hemisphere approach. It’s going to be a good complement for us.”
“Bryn brings a skillset that I haven’t got in terms of how they call lineouts, what pictures they see. We believe it’s a real point of difference having him and making sure our skills are dialled in and leading the way in that area.
“We believe having Bryn in this space, analysing us and the opposition, is just what we need.”
