Rugby: Former Taranaki coach to lead All Blacks Sevens side

Former Taranaki head coach Willie Rickards has been appointed head coach of the All Blacks Sevens as the side begins its build-up to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

New Zealand Rugby announced on Thursday Rickards would step into the role after serving as assistant coach for the past two seasons, succeeding Tomasi Cama following the conclusion of the 2026 World SVNS Series.

Rickards has strong ties to Taranaki, representing the province as a player before coaching the region's sevens and NPC programmes.

He guided the Taranaki Sevens team to the national title in 2013 and was skills coach when the Yarrows Taranaki Bulls won the NPC Premiership in 2014.

Rickards later became assistant coach before taking over as head coach in 2018. During his tenure, Taranaki reclaimed the Ranfurly Shield from Canterbury in 2020.

He remained in the role until the end of the 2020 season before being succeeded by now All Blacks assistant coach Neil Barnes.

In a press release, Rickards said leading the All Blacks Sevens was a privilege.

“To be entrusted with leading the All Blacks Sevens is an incredible privilege. This team has played a significant role in my life, first as a player and now as a coach, so to be given the opportunity to lead the programme is both humbling and exciting.”

He said he was looking forward to working with assistant coach Scott Curry and performance coach Liam Messam.

“The All Blacks Sevens jersey carries a proud legacy. Our responsibility is to honour those who have gone before us while continuing to evolve, improve and create an environment where staff and players are achieving excellence.”

Former All Blacks Sevens captain Curry, who retired from playing in 2024, has been appointed assistant coach after joining the programme in a part-time coaching role last year.

Former All Black and Commonwealth Games sevens gold medallist Liam Messam has been named performance coach while continuing his athlete development role with the Chiefs.

New Zealand Rugby Sevens high-performance lead Hannah Porter said Rickards had proven his ability to build high-performing environments and develop players.

The new coaching group would lead the programme through to the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.