Dave Rennie’s experience coaching around the world was ultimately the deciding factor in winning him the All Blacks coaching job over Jamie Joseph, New Zealand Rugby chairman David Kirk has explained.
Rennie was named on Wednesday as the man to lead the All Blacks through to the 2027 Rugby WorldCup, replacing the ousted Scott Robertson.
Both Rennie and Joseph went through a vigorous four-hour interview process on Tuesday, while New Zealand Rugby (NZR) contacted five referees for each candidate to cover multiple aspects, including how they handled pressure and interacted with players and coaches.
Rennie has coached in New Zealand in the NPC and Super Rugby, where he has won titles, and overseas, with the Glasgow Warriors, the Wallabies and the Kobelco Kobe Steelers in Japan, where he is at present.
Joseph, on the other hand, has primarily coached in New Zealand, also in NPC and Super Rugby. He has also had stints with the Māori All Blacks and the Japan national side.
Speaking to Ryan Bridge on HeraldNOW, Kirk said Rennie was “able to articulate what it would take to win in world rugby”.
“What tipped it was just Dave’s international experience as much as anything. He’s coached all over the world, and [is] very familiar with Northern Hemisphere rugby as well.
“The game is changing a lot and the Northern Hemisphere, in some cases, we don’t like to say it, but it’s true, are leading. So people who’ve been in that environment were valuable.
“Even more important than that was it was very obvious to us that he had an understanding of the game that was fit for purpose for us, for New Zealand, for our skills, for our natural ability and where we come from, this little island in the, islands in the bottom of the world. And he was able to articulate what it would take to win in world rugby.”
New All Blacks coach Dave Rennie. Photo / Dean Purcell.
Kirk said he rang Rennie at 10.15am on Wednesday to tell him the news. The feeling was one of excitement, but acknowledgment that there was plenty of work to do.
It is the second time Joseph has missed out on the top role, and Kirk said he remained a valuable part of NZR.
“The Highlanders value him highly and New Zealand Rugby values him highly as well.
“He took the New Zealand 15 to Europe last year very successfully. They had no, virtually no, training together. He was able to build that into a cohesive, successful team that won both their matches.
“He’s a very senior, highly capable coach in our environment and we want to continue to give him opportunities to grow and develop, hopefully in the New Zealand environment.”
All Blacks coach Dave Rennie and New Zealand Rugby chairman David Kirk at the press conference to announce Rennie's appointment. Photo / Photosport
Rennie plans to leave Kobe at the end of the Japanese season to return home and had been eyeing up an unpaid role with Manawatū Turbos in the NPC after being contacted by the regional union’s chief executive, Doug Tietjens.
Attention now turns to the appointment of Rennie’s assistants. Kirk said the decision, expected next week, would be made in consultation with NZR.
The Herald understands Rennie is intent on promoting the vastly experienced Neil Barnes as one of his leading assistants, while Mike Blair, Scotland’s most capped halfback, is another likely candidate.
