Former Blues Hooker Kurt Eklund Launches The Hooker Lab to Revolutionise Rugby Coaching

“I just wish that I had the tools to have been able to work it out a lot earlier,” former Blues hooker Kurt Eklund said, reflecting on a career defined by technical self-reliance.

Eklund, who was forced to retire last month due to a lingering neck injury, has launched The Hooker Lab to address what he identifies as a critical deficit in rugby coaching structures. The venture aims to provide specialist technical training for the position, targeting both individual players and the coaches responsible for their development, NZ Herald reported.

The move comes as the professional game continues to evolve, shifting the physical profile of the position from heavy, 120kg “battering rams” to more mobile players typically weighing under 110kg. While this athleticism offers new tactical advantages, Eklund argues that the fundamental set-piece requirements are being neglected in the transition.

Addressing the technical gap

Eklund’s transition from player to specialist coach follows a career that included a Super Rugby Pacific title with the Blues in 2024 and captaining the Māori All Blacks in 2025. Despite his success, he believes the support systems for young hookers have failed to keep pace with the modern game.

Former blues hooker kurt eklund on mission to train next generation — Photo: newstalkzb.co.nz

According to newstalkzb.co.nz, Eklund felt he was often left to figure out the complexities of lineout throwing on his own. “Throughout my career it was ‘here’s a ball, go get better at throwing’. Like, well how? And so I had to work that out for myself,” Eklund told the Herald.

This lack of specialized instruction appears to be a systemic issue rather than an individual failure. Eklund noted that many young players reaching the NPC level feel they have “made it” based on existing skills, unaware of the technical depth required for higher tiers. “It’s no fault of the hookers themselves either because a lot of them are just doing what they know and have been told,” he said.

The scarcity of specialist coaching is evident across the industry. While many former players move into general forward or set-piece roles, dedicated hooker specialists remain rare. A notable exception occurred in Scott Robertson’s inaugural year as All Blacks coach, when he appointed former hooker Corey Flynn as a specialist throwing coach, a move that echoed the work Flynn had previously done as a consultant for Super Rugby sides.

The set-piece priority

The modern era has seen the rise of the “freak” hooker—players like former All Black Dane Coles who provide immense value in open play. However, Eklund warns that prioritizing mobility over technical mastery creates a dangerous narrative in player development.

“No one’s going to remember you for being a good thrower because that’s your job, but they’ll remember you if you’re a s**t one,” Eklund said. He expressed concern regarding the growing trend of praising players for their defensive work or mobility while overlooking deficiencies in the set piece.

“The narrative that I’m hearing at the moment is ‘oh he’s great around the park, oh he’s awesome on defence but he just really struggles with set piece’. That doesn’t make sense. You need your hooker to be the best at set piece first and then everything else around the park is a bonus.”

The Hooker Lab intends to bridge this gap through a multi-faceted approach. The business model includes individual and group coaching sessions, online video analysis, and providing pedagogical tools for broader coaching staffs. By focusing on the technical minutiae of the lineout and scrum, Eklund hopes to standardize a level of excellence that was previously left to chance.

A career redirected

Eklund’s retirement was not the planned conclusion to his playing days. After more than a decade in New Zealand, including stints with Bay of Plenty and Auckland in the NPC, the 34-year-old had agreed to join the Yokohama Canon Eagles in Japan. However, medical advice regarding his neck injury forced him to abandon those plans.

Despite the abrupt end to his professional playing career, Eklund has moved quickly into his post-rugby life. The Hooker Lab is already seeing interest from players both within New Zealand and from overseas markets. Beyond the technical coaching, Eklund has indicated plans to expand his presence through social media content, focusing on his interest in fishing, while balancing time with his family and newborn son.

“I think we have let them down in terms of not being able to help them or coach them or find the people to do that for them,” Eklund said.

Disclaimer: The analytical insights and data provided in this article are for informational and entertainment purposes only and do not constitute medical advice or sports betting recommendations.

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