Ryan Martin (rugby union)
 | This article has an unclear citation style. (May 2025) |
| Place of birth | New Zealand | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Occupation(s) | Head Coach | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Ryan Martin is a New Zealand rugby union coach that has spent a majority of his career in New Zealand. He is currently the head coach of the New England Free Jacks of the MLR.
Coaching career
[edit]A former schoolteacher, Martin would begin his coaching career in New Zealand at the Under 10 level in 2008. In 2011, Martin became coach of his alma mater Otago Boys High School. In 2012 he would lead the team to the national finals. During his 5 year tenure Martin maintained the team’s position in upper echelon of New Zealand Rugby and won 64 games on the trot. In 2016, Martin was nationally recognized and assumed the head coaching role of the New Zealand Barbarians Schools side, working with the future talent of New Zealand Rugby at the international level where he led the Baba’s to an undefeated record against both Australian and Fijian Schools winning the Trans-Tasman shield.[1]
Martin would then take the job as the Otago Mitre attack coach for 2 seasons. He would also serve as the head coach of the Asia Pacific Dragons for one season. Leading them in the 2019 global rapid rugby season.[2]
In 2020 Martin would become the head coach for the New England free jacks initially signing a 3 year deal with the team.[3] Leading them to a 10-6 record during the 2021 season but missing the playoffs. Martin would end up leaving the team after only one season to opting to go back to Melbourne Rebels of Super Rugby.[4]
After finishing up his contract with the Rebels Martin would then go to Japan severing as the attacks and backs coach for Toyota Verblitz.[5][6]
In 2024 Martin would be named the Attack coach for Northland Rugby.[7] Later that same year it was also announced he would return to the New England free jacks during the 2025 season for a second stint as head coach.[8]
During the 2025 MLR season Martin would lead the free Jacks to a 11-5 record finishing 1st in the Eastern conference. They would then beat the Miami Sharks 32-10 in the first round of the playoffs, Then beating the Chicago Hounds 21-20 in the next round to win the Eastern conference championship. Martin and the free jacks would then face the Houston Saber cats in the 2025 Major League Rugby final. Going on to beat Houston 28-22 to win the championship shield. In the process Martin would help the free jacks complete the first three peat in North America since 2002 as the club had also won the title the previous 2 seasons. For his efforts Martin would be named the Major league rugby coach of the year.[9]
In 2025 Martin would be promoted to head coach of Northland Rugby.[5]
Head coaching record
[edit]| Team | Year | Record | Placement | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asia Pacific Dragons | 2019 | 1-3 | 3rd | Did not qualify |
| New England Free Jacks | 2021 | 10-6 | 4th east | Did not qualify |
| New England Free Jacks | 2025 | 11-5 | 1st east | Won Eastern conference semi final (32-10) Vs Miami sharks Won Eastern conference championship (21-20) Vs Chicago Hounds Won MLR championship (28-22) Vs Houston Sabercats |
Honours
[edit]New England free jacks
- Major League Rugby championship: (2025)
- Major league rugby coach of the year: (2025)
References
[edit]- ^ FREE JACKS ANNOUNCE RYAN MARTIN AS HEAD COACH https://www.majorleague.rugby/news/free-jacks-announce-ryan-martin-as-head-coach/
- ^ Martin to coach in Singapore in new competition https://www.odt.co.nz/sport/rugby/school-rugby/martin-coach-singapore-new-competition
- ^ Free Jacks name Ryan Martin as new Head Coach https://www.americasrugbynews.com/2020/07/28/free-jacks-name-ryan-martin-as-new-head-coach/
- ^ Ryan Martin to depart Free Jacks for Melbourne Rebels https://www.americasrugbynews.com/2021/07/06/ryan-martin-to-depart-free-jacks-for-melbourne-rebels/
- ^ a b Ryan Martin new Northland Taniwha coach https://www.nzsportswire.com/post/ryan-martin-new-northland-taniwha-coach
- ^ Ryan Martin LinkedIn page Linkhttps://jp.linkedin.com/in/ryan-martin-006532263
- ^ Ryan Martin Appointed as Attack Coach at Northland Rugby Union https://www.sporty.co.nz/northlandrugby/newsarticle/143165?
- ^ THE RETURN OF RYAN MARTIN: FREE JACKS ANNOUNCE NEW HEAD COACH FOR 2025 SEASON https://freejacks.com/news/the-return-of-ryan-martin-free-jacks-announce-new-head-coach-for-2025-season/
- ^ Gilpin, Oliver (25 July 2025). "Ryan Martin Named 2025 MLR Coach of the Year After Masterminding Historic Three-Peat". New England Free Jacks. Retrieved 27 July 2025.