Rugby: Rennie to take on challenge of Chiefs

Dave Rennie played 59 matches as a midfield back with Wellington. Photo / Getty Images

Dave Rennie will coach the Chiefs next season. He had a brief taste of Super rugby life as assistant to Graham Mourie with the Hurricanes 10 years ago but his credentials have been ignored at that level ever since.

The Chiefs thought they had persuaded All Blacks assistant Wayne Smith to bring his expertise to the group next season but those hopes evaporated.

Other high-profile coaches such as Warren Gatland, John Mitchell and Vern Cotter were sounded out about returning from overseas but they all declined.

Apparently Smith, who was born within the franchise boundaries in Putaruru, initially expressed interest in a new challenge with the Chiefs from next season.

But that link melted and the Chiefs drew up a shortlist with Rennie, former All Black looseforward Kevin Schuler and Canterbury coach Rob Penney among the favourites to succeed Ian Foster.

Rennie won the board's approval and is understood to have chosen former Waikato looseforward Tom Coventry as his assistant.

The pair will have some serious challenges with All Blacks such as Chiefs captain Mils Muliaina, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Stephen Donald and Mike Delany expected to take up offshore contracts.

However those departures will leave room for someone like first five-eighths Aaron Cruden to follow his mentor Rennie to the Chiefs.

The 47-year-old Rennie has worked through the age-group and provincial rugby scene with some success and has run numerous coaching courses at the academy in Palmerston North.

In his playing days, Rennie was a midfield back in 59 matches with Wellington.

As a coach he took Wellington to the provincial crown in 2000 and served a one-year stint as assistant coach with the Hurricanes in 2002.

Rennie later shifted to guide Manawatu from 2006 and he has been coach of the New Zealand under 20s who have won the last three world titles.

In a solitary final in 15 seasons of Super rugby, the Chiefs were beaten convincingly by the Bulls in 2009.

They have had five coaches since they began as a provincial amalgam, including North Harbour under foundation leader Brad Meurant.

He had two seasons in charge and was followed by Ross Cooper, John Mitchell, Kevin Greene and Foster, who is in his eighth and final campaign.

Before last night's game against the Crusaders at Mt Maunganui, the Chiefs had won 87 matches, lost 94 and drawn three in their history.

Meurant had a 50 per cent strike rate in his two seasons as coach, Cooper, Mitchell and Greene slipped further while Foster has had a shade over 55 per cent success.

Last night was his 95th match in charge. He had guided the Chiefs to 51 wins and dealt with 41 losses and two stalemates before kickoff.