Mike Anthony, the head of high performance at New Zealand Rugby World Cup 2027. Is leaving the sport to take up a new role with Premier League club Brighton. After more than 15 years contributing to the New Zealand Rugby World Cup 2027 in roles such as high performance. And strength and conditioning, Anthony is stepping into a new challenge. His impressive career includes stints with the All Blacks.
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All Blacks Sevens, and Crusaders, as well as four years with Gloucester. Recently, he also led a review of the All Blacks’ 2025 season, working alongside his predecessor, Don Tricker. Brighton’s sporting director, Jason Ayto, announced Anthony’s appointment as the club’s first head of player development and high performance, praising his exceptional track record.
Ayto emphasized that Anthony’s ability to build environments where players, coaches, and teams can thrive would be invaluable to the club’s performance structure. Anthony will work closely with Brighton’s technical director Mike Cave and head coach Fabian Hurzeler, who has expressed admiration for the mental skills approach used by the All Blacks, especially Dr. Ceri Evans’ red-blue mindset.
At 54 years old, Anthony’s departure marks a period of significant change for New Zealand Rugby. Last year, the union saw the resignation of its CEO, Mark Robinson, and is still searching for a replacement. Steve Lancaster, NZ Rugby’s general manager of community rugby, is filling the interim CEO role. The union is also looking for a chief commercial officer and a chief financial officer.
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Brighton Move Coincides with Turbulent Period for New Zealand Rugby World Cup
The position of head coach for the Black Ferns was recently filled by Whitney Hansen, but there is still a vacancy on Scott Robertson’s All Blacks staff following the departure of attack coach Jason Holland last year. Meanwhile, Anthony’s new role comes as Brighton sits mid-table in the Premier League with a record of seven wins, eight draws, and six losses after 21 games.
At the time of his appointment, Anthony’s work visa had not yet been confirmed. His departure could have an impact on the New Zealand Rugby World Cup, with reports of discontent brewing between players and coaches. All Black leader Ardie Savea, who is currently on a sabbatical with Japan’s Kobe Steelers, has voiced dissatisfaction with the national team’s coaching and culture.
Besides is reportedly considering staying overseas or joining another club. If he does so, Savea would become ineligible for selection under New Zealand Rugby’s policy of not selecting overseas-based players. Savea, who is under contract with New Zealand Rugby World Cup until 2027, has also been critical of head coach Scott Robertson and assistant coach Scott Hansen.
Sources suggest there is a split in the All Blacks’ camp, with team leaders not agreeing on key decisions, making the captaincy selection a complex issue. In 2025, both Savea and Scott Barrett took turns captaining the team, with Barrett being the preferred choice. Robertson’s tenure has also seen assistant coaches Leon McDonald.
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As All Blacks Head Toward 2027, Internal Issues Could Derail Rugby World Cup Final Hopes
Besides Jason Holland leaving the team midway through their respective years, signaling deeper issues within the All Blacks setup. Other reports suggest that another All Black flanker declined an invitation to join the team during the 2025 northern tour, further raising concerns. The All Blacks have been in decline since their loss to South Africa in the 2023 Rugby World Cup Final under former coach Ian Foster.
While they only suffered three defeats in 2025, the manner of those losses is concerning. They were beaten by Argentina for the first time on home soil, suffered a humiliating 43-10 loss to South Africa, their heaviest defeat in history, and allowed a 12-point lead to slip in a 33-19 loss to England on their northern tour.
Their 3-0 series win over a second-string France side was also less convincing than expected. These narrow and unconvincing wins have done little to address the deeper issues within the team. If the All Blacks’ internal problems aren’t dealt with urgently, it could lead to player unrest and affect their preparation for the Greatest Rivalry Tour to South Africa in 2026.
Fans expect to see the best teams face off in a historic tour, the first of its kind since 1996, when the All Blacks defeated the Springboks 2-1 in their own backyard. Looking ahead, the All Blacks, despite having key players like Richie Mo’unga and Leicester Fainga’anuku returning, could find themselves in disarray as they approach the 2027 Rugby World Cup Final in Australia, potentially jeopardizing their chances of securing a fourth World Cup title.
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