‘An incredible honour’: Dave Rennie wins race to be next All Blacks coach
Wednesday, 4 March 2026
Dave Rennie will be the next All Blacks coach.
New Zealand Rugby confirmed on Wednesday morning that Rennie, 62, had beaten Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph to the job.
Rennie has signed a two-year deal until the 2027 Rugby World Cup but he will not start immediately, with NZ Rugby confirming that he will honour his commitments with the Kobelco Kobe Steelers until the conclusion of the Japan Rugby League One competition.
The final of that competition is in early June, one month before the All Blacks start their test campaign against France in Christchurch.
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In his first press conference as All Blacks coach on Wednesday afternoon, Rennie conveyed how important it was to him and his family: “I first told my family,” he said.
“I've got three sons, all based in Palmy - although one of them flew to Japan to see me on Sunday and I left on Monday, and my wife's over in Japan as well.
“So, I did the whole group chat and spoke to them all at the same time, so that was pretty special.”
Rennie also spoke about his desire to return to New Zealand after spending the past nine years coaching overseas, and said he was “really clear on the way I want the All Blacks to play”.
“It’s not an easy job to get a hold of,” he said.
“There’s so many good coaches in New Zealand throughout time and I ended up heading overseas to gain more experience.
“I think that's been really good for me. I guess timing is everything.
“I was planning to come home after nine years of being away. I wanted to spend a little bit more time with kids and grandkids.
“So, to be based back in New Zealand is awesome and I'm really thankful for the opportunity.
NZ Rugby chair David Kirk said Rennie will bring a style of play that “reflects who we are as New Zealanders”.
“On behalf of the board, I’d like to congratulate Dave on his appointment as All Blacks head coach,” Kirk said in a statement. “He is a world-class coach who has consistently shown he can build strong performance environments and win.
“Dave understands what it means to coach the All Blacks and play a style of rugby that reflects who we are as New Zealanders.
“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.”
Rennie and Joseph were both interviewed by NZ Rugby this week as the process to replace Scott Robertson entered its final stage.
NZ Rugby have been targeting a coach to deliver success at the Rugby World Cup in Australia next year, but Rennie is also bringing a 3-2 winning record against Rassie Erasmus’ Springboks from his time as Wallabies coach.
Rennie has also long been admired for his man management skills and he is currently coaching All Blacks Ardie Savea and Anton Lienert-Brown in Japan.
Rennie will now start to build his coaching group and is likely to replace some, if not all, of the current assistants - Scott Hansen, Jason Ryan and Tamati Ellison.
“I've got a strength of surrounding myself with other people, and people who can make a difference,” he said.
“So, I'm keen to bring some people in.
“But when head coach leaves it affects a lot of people and I want to be able to sit down and talk to some of the affected people and then make some decisions over the next week or two.”