The International Rugby Academy of New Zealand, known as IRANZ, is a rugby programme based at 48 Somme Road in Trentham, Upper Hutt. It was founded in 2001 to help young players reach their potential and build pathways into professional rugby. Its programmes take players aged 16 to 18, male and female, as well as coaches and teams. Courses cover position-specific tuition, skill development, mental toughness, rugby intelligence and self-management, and include an intensive residential course.
Beyond the training field, sessions build leadership, resilience and self-management, through reviews, feedback sessions and off-field seminars. The academy says it has worked with individuals and teams from more than 35 countries, and it describes its courses as among the most comprehensive rugby education available. Its coaches and players are internationally known. The programme suits talented young players who want an intensive route into high-performance rugby, and coaches who want to develop their own skills.