All Blacks and Dave Rennie: Winners & losers from coaching appointment – Winston Aldworth

THE FACTS

Who stands to gain, and who will suffer after Dave Rennie’s appointment as All Blacks coach on Wednesday?

WINNER: Ardie Savea

The All Blacks’ first-pick loosie has been playing under Dave Rennie at the Kobelco Kobe Steelers in Japan. In his time with the side, Ardie Savea will have gathered some insights into the methods of the new gaffer and has had the chance to an early connection and relationship – something he seemed to miss under Scott Robertson.

Rennie was blunt about not playing favourites when the new coach fronted up to the public on Wednesday: “I don’t have any player loyalties, and we’re going to select on form.”

LOSER: Ian Foster

Jamie Joseph getting the job was possibly Ian Foster’s ticket back to the international stage and into the All Blacks set-up, where he was a strong contender for a role as an assistant. Will he now remain in the Japanese wilderness? After a poor season running Toshiba, he might be forced to look elsewhere.

WINNER: Scott Robertson

The appointment of Rennie, and his move from Kobe back to Aotearoa, opens up at least one new role in Japan – and potentially triggers a full round of coaching musical chairs.

Recently departed All Blacks boss Scott Robertson might fancy a spell in Kobe, or with one of the other sides from where Kobe find their next coach.

If Joseph had landed the All Blacks gig, it’s difficult to imagine the Crusaders’ favourite son making the four-and-a-half hour journey down SH1 to don the blue-and-gold tracksuit of the Highlanders in Dunedin.

But a couple of seasons in Kobe? Home to Japan’s only artificial surfing facility? Konnichiwa and cowabunga!

WINNER: Japanese rugby

Kiwis have often scoffed at the quality of the club competition in Japan, despite hardly watching a minute of it. The first sign that things in Japan might not be too bad came when Jerome Kaino returned from a two-year stint with Toyota Verblitz to rejoin the All Blacks and defend the Rugby World Cup in 2015. Kaino was as buff as ever, refreshed and (presumably) wealthier.

The signing of a coach straight from a club role in a supposedly lesser rugby nation should give Kiwi rugby fans reason to sit up and pay greater attention to Japan, where so much of the sport’s big names and big money have found a home.

LOSER (likely): Rugby Australia

If it all goes wrong over the next couple of years, Kiwi rugby pundits will point to Rennie’s 38% win ratio with the Wallabies and say “of course he was the wrong candidate”. But he’s more likely to prove that when he has the right players and the support of head office, good results can follow. Holding the Bledisloe Cup will be a massive point of pride.

WINNER: The Highlanders

The southerners keep their highly valued coach for at least the duration of this campaign. Blue-and-gold fans would argue the rest of Super Rugby Pacific loses with Joseph staying local – supporters of the seven teams ahead of the Highlanders on the 11-team table might beg to differ.

LOSER: Any Highlanders players who so much as blink out of place this week

Joseph has a solidly earned reputation for working his players hard in training. Pull your socks up and pay attention, fellas.

WINNER: David Kirk

The new chair has seen an unprecedented number of exits from top roles at New Zealand Rugby since he sat down at the table early last year. Bringing in a big name to fill an important post will bring an air of stability to the organisation.