Ex-All Black Jeremy Thrush joins Hurricanes coaching staff ahead of 2027 season

The Hurricanes have finalised their coaching staff for the 2027 season, with former All Black Jeremy Thrush and development coach Sam McNicol confirmed as the latest additions to Clark Laidlaw’s group.

Thrush, 41, retired just three years ago after an 18-year playing career that included 110 appearances for the Hurricanes and 12 Tests for the All Blacks. Following stints with Gloucester and the Western Force, he moved into coaching in Australia, most recently serving as an assistant with the Australia Under-20 side.

“I’m extremely excited about connecting back up with the Hurricanes,” Thrush said. “It’s a club that means a lot to me and gave me so much, and I feel privileged to have been considered for the role.”

McNicol, at just 31, brings a different profile to the setup. He has been involved with Hurricanes development teams for several years and has worked as an assistant coach for Hawke’s Bay in the NPC since 2022. A promising playing career was curtailed by injuries, but Laidlaw sees that experience as an asset.

“Sam’s been coaching at Hawke’s Bay after finishing his playing career early,” Laidlaw said. “That’s got him into coaching while he’s young and hungry and really open to learning. He’s done a really good job up there.”

The pair join Roger Randle as new faces in Laidlaw’s coaching ticket, while Cory Jane and Jamie Mackintosh continue in their established roles.

Laidlaw was effusive about Thrush’s appointment, highlighting the former captain’s qualities as both a player and an emerging coach. “Thrushy is a centurion, a former captain, and a highly competitive Hurricane who got the best out of himself and others,” he said. “We think those attributes have really served him well as he started his coaching career in Australia.”

For Thrush, the move represents a homecoming. “I’m really looking forward to getting to know the staff and players and contributing to the environment that’s been created at the club,” he added.

With the coaching group now settled, the Hurricanes will look to build on recent seasons as they prepare for the 2027 Super Rugby campaign.