After an exhaustive selection process, Jono Phillips has been appointed to the dual role of Tasman Rugby Union [TRU] Director of Rugby and Mako head coach on a two-year fixed-term contract.
Phillips has previously coached at the Taranaki Bulls and the Hurricanes and brings valuable international experience through his involvement with the USA Eagles programme and Scottish Rugby. He also coached the Nelson College First XV for several seasons with notable success.
In accepting the role, Phillips said he was honoured and excited.
“This is a pivotal moment for the province, and I am committed to building on the foundations already in place while driving the game forward with ambition, integrity, and a clear vision for success both on and off the field.
“I want to thank the Board, and everyone involved in the appointment process for placing their trust in me. I also want to acknowledge the dedication of the players, coaches, staff, and supporters who have contributed so much to creating the identity and culture of Mako rugby over the last twenty years. Together we will work to create an environment where talent can flourish, high performance is the standard and the team continues to inspire pride in the community,” he said.
TRU Board Chair Wayne Young said Phillips brought extensive experience and strong connections throughout the Tasman rugby landscape.
“A respected coach and rugby leader, he has built a strong reputation for developing players and programmes across both community and representative rugby. His deep understanding of the region, combined with high-performance coaching experience and commitment to player development, made him a standout candidate for the role,” said Young.
The TRU Board utilised a six-person independent selection panel to appoint the newly-created Director of Rugby & Mako Head Coach role. This comprised independent members Angus Gardiner, Crusaders High Performance Lead; Matt Sexton, New Zealand Rugby High Performance; Kieran Keane, former Mako coach and Tasman Rugby life member; and Alex McKenzie, High Performance Coach Development Manager at New Zealand Rugby. Wayne Young, Tasman Rugby Chair, and Mike Fraser, Tasman Rugby High Performance Chair, completed the panel.
McKenzie said Phillips’ appointment reflected the strength and reputation of Tasman Rugby both nationally and internationally.
“Jono’s appointment is a significant boost for Tasman Rugby. We had strong interest in the Director of Rugby & Head Coach role from across New Zealand and internationally, and the quality of the final interviewees was outstanding. That speaks volumes about the reputation and pulling power of Tasman Rugby and the Mako.
“Jono’s experience, knowledge, and passion for the game at all levels in our region — from community rugby through to the Mako — make him an excellent fit. We’re confident Tasman Rugby is in very good hands,” said McKenzie.
The appointment follows an extensive independent operational review commissioned by the TRU Board and conducted by Stu Mather, former Auckland Rugby Chair, Blues board member, and former New Zealand Rugby director during October and November last year.
A subsequent restructure process has been led by Tasman Rugby’s recently-contracted Change Manager, Tony Lewis.
Staff, stakeholders, the clubs, and commercial partners were all consulted as part of the review process, resulting in a comprehensive independent assessment of the union’s strengths, challenges, and future opportunities.
The review highlighted the need for the organisation to evolve and adapt to the changing demands facing the union as Tasman Rugby approaches its 20th anniversary in 2026, said Young.
As a result, the restructure has established three new leadership positions across the organisation - Director of Commercial – Julie Bensemann, Director of Community Rugby – Chris Little, and Director of Rugby and Mako Head Coach – Jono Phillips.
“The Tasman Rugby restructure has resulted in a new leadership team and with updated responsibilities introduced across the organisation. The new 2026-focused job descriptions have been designed to improve delivery, accountability, productivity, and operational efficiency across the business,” Young added.
