Darren Shand: 20 Years Inside the All Blacks' Golden Era

About this episode

Darren Shand shares his experiences as the Team Manager of the All Blacks, discussing cultural changes, personal challenges, and insights into the team's success.

For 20 years, Darren Shand was the most powerful person in All Blacks rugby that nobody knew about. As Team Manager across four Rugby World Cups - including the back-to-back title wins of 2011 and 2015 - Shand sat above the coaches, managed the operation, and helped build the cultural architecture of the most successful international rugby team in history. He worked alongside Sir Graham Henry, Sir Steve Hansen, Sir Wayne Smith, Richie McCaw, Dan Carter, and some of the greatest players to ever pull on the black jersey. He talks about the 2004 wake-up call that forced the entire culture to change. The private battles with depression. The end of his marriage. The moment a former Crusaders teammate came to his house to tell him he was fired. He shares stories that have never been made public - including a stunning incident before the 2015 Rugby World Cup final that nearly ended his campaign entirely. And he gives his most honest assessment yet of what happened to the All Blacks after he left - and why Ian Foster never really had a chance. Between Two Beers is proudly brought to you by One New Zealand. We believe that One NZ connects New Zealand, while Between Two Beers connects New…

People in this episode

Hosts: Steven Holloway, Seamus Marten

Guest: Darren Shand

Topics covered

• rugby
• All Blacks
• sports management
• mental health
• personal struggles
• team culture

Keywords

• Darren Shand
• All Blacks
• Rugby World Cup
• team culture
• mental health
• sports management
• Richie McCaw
• Dan Carter
• Sir Graham Henry

Sponsors

One New Zealand

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: All Blacks, Barkers Clothing

More episodes of Between Two Beers Podcast

• Our Business Coach Quits On-Air? Why Fun Is the Strategy Right Now · June 10, 2026 · 24 min
• Futurist Frances Valintine: NZ's Looming Demographic Crisis & the Future of Work · June 7, 2026 · 2h 35m
• Exclusive Access to Tim Payne? Our Football World Cup Trip Shapes Up · June 3, 2026 · 47 min
• Matthew Ridge Tells All: Wrongful Conviction, Addiction & Working with Marc Ellis (Re-Release) · May 31, 2026 · 1h 52m
• “Don’t Believe You Own BS!” - Behind the Scenes of the World Cup, TVNZ Deal & Steven Adams · May 27, 2026 · 42 min
• We're Going to the Football World Cup with the All Whites! · May 20, 2026 · 36 min