New All Blacks coach Dave Rennie has named his coaching group, which includes All Blacks great and Moana Pasifika coach Tana Umaga.
Rennie has retained just one coach from Scott Robertson’s coaching team – with Jason Ryan (forwards coach) remaining in his role while Neil Barnes (senior assistant coach), Scotsman Mike Blair (attack coach) and Umaga (defence coach) join Rennie’s team.
Umaga, a former All Blacks captain, played under Rennie in Wellington when they won the NPC title in 2000. Umaga has had previous coaching stints with Counties Manukau, the Blues and Samoa and coached All Blacks vice-captain Ardie Savea at Moana Pasifika last season.
Barnes coached alongside Rennie at the Chiefs and spent time on the international scene with Canada and Italy before assuming charge of Taranaki in the NPC. In January, he re-signed with Taranaki for the 2026 season. During his tenure in Taranaki, the team produced an unbeaten season in 2021 to claim the NPC title, followed by a second title in 2023. He’s known as a tough forwards coach with specific expertise at the lineout.
Blair, meanwhile, is Scotland’s most-capped halfback and moved into assistant coaching roles with Glasgow, Scotland, and Kobe before leading Edinburgh. He is currently coaching with Rennie at Kobe where he will complete the current Japan Rugby League One season before moving to New Zealand, subject to the granting of a work visa by the Government.
Phil Healey joins the coaching group as head of performance, replacing Nic Gill, who has taken a job with NFL team the Baltimore Ravens. He has gained international experience working with Rennie at the Glasgow Warriors from 2017-2018, the Georgia national team for the 2019 Rugby World Cup, was part of the All Blacks XV management in 2022 and is currently the director of athletic performance at the Kobelco Kobe Steelers in Japan.
There’s no room for Scott Hansen – he’s been replaced by Blair. Tamati Ellison also exits – but has been moved into head coach of the Māori All Blacks for their games in June against Japan.
“This is a very experienced and highly skilled coaching team,” Rennie said. “Each of these men has a track record of getting the best out of the players and teams they coach, and they are each hugely motivated to get stuck in and deliver the same success with the All Blacks.
“Neil provides outstanding leadership and strategic support; Jase has proven himself as one of the best forwards coaches in the game; Tana brings immense mana and defensive insight; and Mike will bring his innovative approach and attention to detail to our attack. I know this group will challenge and support both me and our players to bring the best out of us all.
“This has been a thorough appointment process that included conversations with each of the former All Blacks assistant coaches. I want to acknowledge those men who have all contributed so positively and professionally to this process and to the legacy of the All Blacks. They are each excellent coaches in their own right, who I know will go on to achieve further success in their careers.”
Umaga retired from the All Blacks 20 years ago as the first captain of Pacific heritage. He said joining the coaching group was a proud moment.
“Just to be in the conversation – to have a role with the All Blacks again is pretty big,” he said. “It’s no small undertaking but it’s a privilege and an honour.
“My heart is always with culture – the All Blacks culture, representing the country I was born in, and the culture of my parents – the heritage and the blood that runs through me. I have deep connections to both of those so it would have to be something that I am really connected to for me to move on [from Moana Pasifika].
“In terms of these two teams – they mean a lot to me, both of them. They are part of me.
“I’ve got to make sure that I do well with Moana Pasifika and respect the time that I’ve got here. I’ll apply the same things I learned when I was an All Black in terms of ‘am I going to leave Moana in a better place?’
“So I’m here until the end of the season and we’ve still got things we want to achieve before then.”