Sevu Reece, a Fiji-born winger, is thriving in the current All Blacks environment under the guidance of coach Scott Robertson and a fresh coaching team. After taking over from Ian Foster following last year’s Rugby World Cup in France, Robertson has introduced several new assistants to the camp, alongside forwards coach Jason Ryan, who previously worked with Foster.
The new coaching staff includes Jason Holland (backs), Leon MacDonald (attack), Scott Hansen (defence), and Tamati Ellison, who specializes in contact skills from his prior role with the Crusaders. Additionally, veteran coach Wayne Smith is contributing as a performance coach.
After missing the entire 2023 Test season due to an ACL injury, Reece bounced back impressively, contributing significantly for the Crusaders in Super Rugby Pacific. Despite a challenging season for his team based in Christchurch, he emerged as one of the top scorers in the competition.
As the All Blacks prepare for the 2024 international season, Reece expressed his enthusiasm about collaborating with the new coaching staff. He highlighted the positive atmosphere and strong camaraderie within the squad.
“It’s very exciting times for New Zealand rugby,” Reece said. “These coaches are not only great on the field but are also remarkable individuals off it. The squad selections have sparked various questions about individual roles, and I believe we have a solid game plan moving forward.”
Reece acknowledged the intense competition for winger positions within the squad, which also includes Mark Tele’a, Caleb Clarke, and Emoni Narawa. He noted the fierce rivalry among the talented players.
“There are a lot of wingers, and I see this as a challenging camp,” he remarked. “I even thought about what other positions I could play, maybe half-back? Just a funny thought.”