New All Blacks coach Dave Rennie lays down the law, signals changes to team
Wednesday, 4 March 2026
Dave Rennie has wasted no time putting a stake in the ground.
The newly appointed All Blacks coach fronted media in Auckland alongside New Zealand Rugby chairman David Kirk on Wednesday afternoon, hours after he was confirmed as Scott Robertson’s replacement.
Rennie, a former Chiefs and Wallabies head coach, made two things clear: he planned to make changes to the coaching and management team, and players would need to earn their spot in the team.
“I guess one advantage is players are going to have to earn the right to earn the jersey. I’ve got no loyalties, I don’t come from a team where I’ve had a lot of these guys previously,” Rennie said.
“We'll select based on form.”
Rennie was speaking less than 24 hours after a three and a half hour interview with NZR started, a “thorough” examination which included a presentation.
Having had to cancel his 6pm dinner plans on Tuesday night after it ran later than expected, he found out he had beaten out Jamie Joseph on Wednesday morning.
Kirk called Joseph on Wednesday morning to advise him he had been unsuccessful in applying for the role.
The “gracious” Highlanders coach messaged Rennie to offer him his congratulations.
Rennie would honour his commitments with the Kobe Steelers in Japan before returning to New Zealand to prepare the All Blacks for the July home series against France, Italy and Ireland.
One of his first jobs is to work with NZR in confirming his coaching and management teams.
Robertson’s assistant coaches, Scott Hansen, Jason Ryan and Tamati Ellison, have remained on NZR’s books, but Kirk long ago made it clear the incoming head coach would be able to choose his own team.
“We will work through that, I've got a strength of surrounding myself with quality people. People who can make a difference. So I’m keen to bring some people in,” Rennie said.
“But when a head coach leaves, it affects a lot of people. What I want to do is sit down and talk to some of the affected people and then make some decisions over the next week or two.”
Rennie, who guided the Chiefs to the 2012 and 2013 Super Rugby titles, has spent the last nine years overseas.
He called himself a “much better” coach now than when he left, and didn’t believe juggling the job and his Japan commitments until June would be a problem.
After all, he said, he watched all Super Rugby matches anyway, he’d return to New Zealand during bye weeks, and he’d get a team in place to help.
Rennie, in a statement, said it was “an incredible honour” to be made head coach of the All Blacks.
“I’m extremely proud to have been entrusted with this role and understand the expectations that come with it,” he said.
“I’m really clear on the way I want the All Blacks to play and I look forward to working with the players, management team, and the rugby community.
“We have a lot of talent here and we will be working extremely hard to make the country proud.”
Rennie takes the top job at the All Blacks after predecessor Robertson lost the role with his contract cut short in January.
NZR has appointed Rennie through until after next year’s World Cup in Australia.
Rennie, who is of Cook Islands descent through his mother (Titikaveka, Rarotonga), becomes the first All Blacks head coach with Pasifika heritage.
Rennie had a proven track record as a successful head coach.
“Dave understands what it means to coach the All Blacks and play a style of rugby that reflects who we are as New Zealanders,” Kirk said in a statement.
“He has a deep understanding of rugby in New Zealand and the role the All Blacks play in shaping our national identity and bringing communities together.”
In addition to Rennie’s success with the Chiefs, he took the Glasgow Warriors to a Pro14 Final in 2019.
Most recently Rennie had been coaching in Japan, where he was with professional side the Kobelco Kobe Steelers.
Previously he had been head coach of the Wallabies, holding the role from 2020-2023. He was dumped ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup, and replaced by Eddie Jones.
The Australian team went on to have a disastrous tournament, exiting at the end of pool play, finishing third in their group behind Wales and Fiji.
Rennie, however, was a “highly respected head coach” NZ Rugby said in its statement naming him, listing some of his achievements, including leading the NZ Under-20 team to three consecutive Junior World Championships between 2008 and 2010.
He has also coached the Wellington Lions and Manawatu Turbos in the National Provincial Championship.