Dave Rennie’s No 2 Neil Barnes brings honesty, old-school values to the All Blacks

Wednesday, 25 March 2026

A breath of fresh air just blew through New Zealand rugby. His name is Neil Barnes, he’s refreshingly honest, brutally old-school and beautifully bold, and he might just be the second most important person in the new All Blacks setup.

Barnes was unveiled on Tuesday as Dave Rennie’s senior assistant in a coaching group that also includes one survivor from the previous regime, in Jason Ryan, a former Scottish halfback, in Mike Blair, and one of the most respected figures in the New Zealand game, in Tana Umaga.

It’s an eclectic and interesting group, and, most importantly, it’s a posse of rugby diehards and tragics “(I’m a codehead,” declared Barnes to a delighted media throng at Auckland HQ) whom Rennie will charge with rebuilding the aura, standing and integrity of the All Blacks, as well as putting together a credible World Cup campaign in less than 18 months.

“I don’t profess to be a hard-ass,” noted Barnes, the incumbent Taranaki NPC coach who has worked, during a three-decade coaching career, with Rennie previously at the Chiefs, and also had international roles with Italy, Canada and Fiji. “At the end of the day I’m honest, I don’t sugar-coat things, and I think players respect they’re going to get feedback that is honest and accurate. I care about making them better, and Rens is built exactly the same way.”

During a frank conversation with the country’s national rugby media, Barnes conceded the All Blacks job was something he “never really aimed at”, but now he had it he was excited about doing his bit to make his country proud.

“Nah mate, it’s taking a bit of grasping,” he said when asked if he could believe he was the chief All Blacks assistant coach. “I’m not frightened of it. I’ve had so many years, I’ve gone to three World Cups with teams that were less than minor nations and still competed with the best. Inside of me there’s that inner-confidence I’ve done the work.

“I’ve had a meeting with Jase Ryan (together they will run the forwards) and we’re unbelievably aligned. I’ve got a huge amount of respect for him, but that’s mutual, and once I saw how aligned we were, it’s going to be pretty powerful.”

Did we mention he’s direct and to the point? “I’m massive on getting the basics right before you go to any of the pretty shit, and that goes right across the whole game. You can’t build a house without a strong foundation under it.”

In terms of Rennie and his chief assistant, there was a reason those in the know considered it a fait accompli Barnes would be brought in. They’re different, yet the same. A sort of coaching Yin and Yang.

“We’re both competitive people, and I think we probably complement each other,” noted Barnes. “He’s way smarter than me, but i refuse to let him beat me in a lot of other areas.”

When the job became vacant, Barnes sent his long-time mate and former boss a message. “I reached out to him. I felt he needed to come home for our country and our game. I’ve got a lot of faith in this man. He asked me if I was available … that was followed up with a phone call, and I realised he was serious.

“I just thought he needed some encouragement because people leave this country sometimes feeling a little bit hurt. But there are not that many people with his ability. He’s the right person for the job.”

Rennie’s strengths?

Barnes: “How much time have you got? He cares, he’s very, very knowledgeable at how the game can be played, he’s willing to think outside the square, he works bloody hard, and he encourages that from everybody.

“I care about my country and the All Blacks jersey, and I feel we need some alignment. We need the whole country working in the same direction, and I couldn’t think of a better person. It was a simple message – your country needs you.”

Barnes has served his time in coaching, from club, to province, to age-grade teams, to the professional and international environment. He’s loved every step, and believe it has him ready for what’s about to unfold.

“I’m grass-roots,” says the bloke who’s been known to drop an f-bomb or two with a smile. “It shows if you work hard for a long time good things will happen. I was fortunate to be given a grounding and have people round out the rough edges in me. Trust me, there were a few.

“I don’t think it would matter if I was playing snakes and ladders on a board or an international game, I’ve got the same shit about me that I want to win. Sorry, I’m a competitive person, and I expect every player on our team to have the same competitiveness.”

So, was it tough to leave behind the ‘Naki, and his mix of rural life (his dairy farm is run by a couple in a 50-50 sharemilking arrangement) and provincial footy?

“I care deeply about my province, but, man, when I got offered an opportunity like this … I’ve got a spring in my step again. I’m under no illusions as to the size of this challenge but … I’m not afraid of that.

“I’m probably as passionate a farmer as I am about rugby. Rugby to me is something I do in my spare time that I love. It’s probably a little more serious now, isn’t it?”

Someone poked him about Fonterra payouts and All Blacks salaries. He couldn’t resist.

“It’s great. At the end of the day my back is getting frigging sore carrying all the coin we’re making.”