Holland to leave All Blacks coaching staff at end of year

 All Blacks assistant coach Jason Holland has announced he will be departing when his contract is up at the end of the season, leaving head coach Scott Robertson without two of his original four staff.

Holland, who previously worked as head coach at the Hurricanes Super Rugby team, will continue to look after the backs and set piece on New Zealand's end-of-season Grand Slam tour before finishing up.

"I was happy to take a two-year contract and the time feels right for me to step away from this role and look ahead," Holland said in a New Zealand Rugby statement on Thursday.

"We're a close group so this wasn't an easy decision...we think the team are making shifts in the right direction. There are four tests left, and I'm absolutely focused on helping this team to win in the Northern Hemisphere."

Robertson, whose original attack coach Leon MacDonald departed by mutual agreement last year, said Holland would be missed.

"There's a massive amount of respect for Jase in our group," Robertson said.

"While we're disappointed, he has our support and we respect the decision he's come to."

The All Blacks open their end-of-season tour against Ireland in Chicago on 1 November before heading to Britain to take on Scotland, England, and Wales.