All Blacks to come up against familiar face when England tour

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Strawbridge, 59, spent four weeks as a consultant coach to England during the Six Nations campaign earlier this year but has been appointed to a full-time role with the side as an assistant coach and coaching advisor.

England coach Steve Borthwick said, "Andrew made a huge impression during the time he spent with us at this year's Six Nations.

"From the moment he walked into the environment, I was hugely impressed with his attention to detail, the clarity of his coaching philosophy and the different perspectives he has on the game.

"His extensive coaching experience in Super Rugby and the international arena, as well as his expertise in player development, complements our existing coaching group well."

Strawbridge moved into coaching after ending his 131-game playing career with Waikato, for whom he scored 646 points. He was involved with North Harbour in 2003-04 and Auckland from 2009-11 in NPC rugby while assisting in two successful campaigns with the New Zealand Under-20s side at world championships.

He was an assistant coach in the Chiefs' consecutive Super Rugby wins in 2012-13 and was a technical advisor to Manu Samoa in 2015. He returned to Waikato for two years as head coach in NPC rugby before being appointed Waikato director of rugby in 2021.

He was appointed a coaching consultant to the All Blacks in 2022 and assistant coach during the 2023 season and Rugby World Cup.

He said, "My brief stint with England at the front end of the Six Nations was a nourishing experience, and I was impressed with the desire of the group to grow and compete.

"I'm proud to be involved in the England coaching group and look forward to playing a part in helping the team achieve its goals."

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