All Blacks assistant coach Jase Ryan has acknowledged the turbulence of a coaching reshuffle that has rewritten the New Zealand staffroom for 2026 - and asked supporters to back the team through what he conceded had been a 'torrid' period for the coaches who had left.
In an interview released on the All Blacks' own channel, Ryan addressed the scrutiny head-on, beginning with an acknowledgement that the back-end of last year and the start of this one had not been comfortable for anyone inside the camp.
"It has been a turbulent start to be fair," Ryan said. "But I guess it's a chance to acknowledge all the coaches that have - I've worked with, had a great relationship with in the last couple of years in the All Blacks - and especially their families. You know, it's been a bit of a torrid time for them. So, hasn't been easy, especially for them."
That tone of quiet empathy ran through Ryan's interview. New Zealand Rugby's reset has involved both planned departures and the kind of mid-cycle turnover that any test programme tries to avoid. For Ryan, who is one of the continuity figures in the new structure, the priority has been bedding in a new head coach and making sure the players see a clear pathway through the noise.
He singled out the new boss for praise without using the name, calling out clarity as the headline trait.
"He's really clear on what he wants and pretty clear on what my role is and how that will work with Barzi," Ryan said. "And I think he's going to create a really safe environment but a challenging one as well, which he said he wants. And pretty clear on some conversations that we've had so far around the players and expectations we'll need out of them. And it's a clean sheet, and that's exciting as well, and I think the players will appreciate that."
The phrase 'clean sheet' is the one likely to travel furthest. After back-to-back years in which the All Blacks have arrived at their squad selections under more public pressure than any New Zealand staff has been used to, a clearly-stated reset on selection criteria is the kind of message that ripples through the Super Rugby Pacific dressing rooms.
Ryan also addressed the return of two-time All Blacks captain Tana Umaga to a coaching role within the staff, drawing on a personal reference point. He recalled coaching alongside Umaga during a New Zealand under-20s campaign in which Hurricanes flanker Jerry Collins had passed away mid-tournament.
"Just saw the presence of the man and how special he is. I think it was at the time when Jerry Collins passed and Shauny Wui and Triple T led a pretty special unique haka in the 20s at the World Cup that year," Ryan said. "And that was, for Tunner as well who had to shoot home - and just the presence he brings and the detail he'll bring and his mindset will be pretty unique to have him in the environment."
Ryan was equally complimentary about the new lead, whom he described as having "a sharp mind, tremendously experienced" - and an opponent he had grown to respect across years of coaching against him.
The first practical test of the new structure comes on home soil. Ryan flagged the opening France Test in Christchurch as one of the most meaningful fixtures the All Blacks have played in the city for years - a reference, by implication, to a city still living with the aftermath of its 2011 earthquake.
"France first test in [Christchurch] will be pretty unique, pretty special, pretty - probably a moment in time for that city to be fair, because they've been through a bit, and to have the All Blacks there in a test match is going to be cool," he said.
Ryan finished with the line that any assistant in his position would be expected to land - but in his case felt earned by the rest of the interview.
"Like any All Black team that's had the ultimate success, there's always been often a little bit of pain along the way," he said. "Stick with us and we're going to play some exciting rugby, and we're really looking forward to what's ahead."
The All Blacks have asked their supporters to keep the faith. They have, at the very least, sent one of their most experienced coaches out to make the case in person.
