The Turbos' coach since 2006 and a former Wellington Lions' coach and player, Rennie played club rugby with Russell in the Upper Hutt side before Russell took up coaching with the Marist St Pats club. Russell and Rennie also played together in a touch side which Russell described as "more than handy".
Magpies prop Kas Lealamanua played in Wellington sides coached by Rennie, and first five-eighths Daniel Kirkpatrick and loosies Trent Boswell-Wakefield and Hugh Reed played under him in world title-winning national age group teams.
"I'm not sure if having all that knowledge is an advantage," says Rennie. "We're up to round 11 now and both teams have put everything out on the park.
"There's so much analysis done on opposition teams these days we know as much about Hawkes Bay as they know about us."
He did give a bit of motivational ammunition for the Magpies when he mentioned the Turbos' unbeaten run at home this season.
"While we can take a little bit of confidence out of our first round win against the Magpies, it will count for little on Sunday night.
"Hawkes Bay has been a successful side in recent seasons and will be a big challenge for us.
"It is something our boys are looking forward to."
Like Russell, Rennie, won't name his side for the final until today.
Russell pointed out that former All Black hooker Hika Elliot, who has missed the Magpies' last three games because of a hamstring injury, is regarded as having only a 50/50 chance of starting.
Coventry will fly to Palmerston North from Auckland for the game.
He arrived in the country with the Samoan World Cup side and has been given permission to leave the side for the final.
Manawatu v Hawkes Bay
Palmerston North, 5.30pm tomorrow
- APNZ
