 | 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 and Northland Rugby Union.
A former schoolteacher, Martin began his coaching career in New Zealand at the Under-10 level in 2008. In 2011, he became the coach of his alma mater, Otago Boys High School. In 2012, he led the team to the national finals. During his five-year tenure, Martin maintained the team’s position in upper echelon of New Zealand Rugby and won 64 games.
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. He led the Barbarians to an undefeated record against both Australian and Fijian Schools, winning the Trans-Tasman shield. [1]
Martin then took the role of attack coach for the Otago Mitre 10 team for 2 seasons. He also served 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, became the head coach for the New England Free Jacks, initially signing a three-year deal with the team. [3] He lead them to a 10-6 record during the 2021 season, though they missed the playoffs. Martin left the team after one to begin working with the Melbourne Rebels. [4]
After completing his contract with the Rebels, Martin moved to Japan, serving as the attack and backs coach for Toyota Verblitz. [5] [6]
In 2024, Martin was named as the attack coach for Northland Rugby. [7] Later that same year, it was also announced that 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 led the Free Jacks to an 11-5 record, finishing first in the Eastern conference. They went on to defeat the Miami Sharks 32-10 in the first round of the playoffs, followed by a narrow 21-20 win over the Chicago Hounds to win the Eastern conference championship. Martin and the Free Jacks then faced the Houston SaberCats in the 2025 Major League Rugby final, winning 28-22 to secure the Championship Shield. In the process, Martin helped the Free Jacks complete the first three-peat in North America professional rugby since 2002, as the club had also won the title in the previous two seasons. For his efforts, Martin was named the Major league rugby coach of the year. [9]
In 2025 Martin was promoted to head coach of Northland Rugby. [5]
| 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 |
New England free jacks