Clayton McMillan named head coach of All Blacks XV for Northern Tour

New Zealand Rugby (NZR) has appointed Clayton McMillan as the head coach of the All Blacks XV for their upcoming two-match Northern Tour.

McMillan, who currently leads the Chiefs in Super Rugby Pacific, will be joined by Assistant Coaches Jamie Mackintosh (Forwards), David Hill (Attack), and Cory Jane (Defence).

McMillan expressed his excitement at taking the helm of a team that is building its own legacy and emphasized the value of collaborating with other experienced coaches.

"The ability to work with different coaches and players is hugely valuable, and the team will be exposed to different levels and styles of rugby up north. It’s great to have three highly regarded assistants in David, Jamie, and Cory," McMillan stated.

Highlighting the experience of his assistants, McMillan noted the impact of Jane and Mackintosh with the Hurricanes in Super Rugby Pacific, while Hill’s background with the All Blacks provides critical insights into the environment and expectations at the highest level.

Preparations for the tour are already underway, with McMillan spending time with the All Blacks to observe their operations and engage in discussions about player selections. The final squad announcement for the All Blacks XV is expected next week.

Mike Anthony, NZR’s Head of High Performance, underscored the significance of the upcoming tour for player development and talent exposure.

“These matches are an opportunity for our next tier of talent to experience different playing styles and get exposure to overseas touring," said Anthony.

He praised the coaching team for their diverse experience and highlighted the alignment with the All Blacks as a key factor in building depth during the new Rugby World Cup cycle.

The All Blacks XV will face Munster on November 2 at Thomond Park in Limerick, Ireland, followed by a match against Georgia on November 10 at GGL Stadium in Montpellier, France.