"He's a reasonably big boy. He's very aggressive and reasonably destructive when it comes to cleanout. He's got good continuity skills and he's just a good kid, who works hard at keeping learning."
It was a tough call on Latimer, part of the Chiefs' leadership group, one Rennie said the coaches could have debated for hours.
"It was a really tight decision. We did haggle over it for a while. Lats is part of our leadership group and bringing him on late in the game could be really valuable for us."
The Chiefs wrapped up their pre-season with a loss to the Hurricanes in a storm at Taupo. It was the first run for Sonny Bill Williams but he showed enough to earn him the No 12 jersey in a potentially lethal centre pairing with Richard Kahui.
"He's ready to go. The conditions were woeful. It was pick-and-go first then kick for the corners' sort of game, so he didn't get much ball in his hands but he's training well and we expect him to do the job."
"Expect" is the right word. There has not been this much expectation about a Super rugby season in Hamilton since local hero John Mitchell rolled back into town in 2001. Most of that expectation emanates from the signing of Williams and, to a lesser extent, Aaron Cruden.
Three players - Kane Thompson, Jackson Willison and Alex Bradley - were not considered because of injury but Rennie should be thankful he's not in southern coach Jamie Joseph's shoes.
The Highlanders were forced to delay naming their side until today, as they give several players until the last minute to prove their fitness.
