Dave Rennie is the new head coach of the All Blacks. The New Zealander was appointed on Wednesday, March 4, to lead the national rugby team into the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia, as the country seeks to end a title drought stretching back to their consecutive championships in 2011, and 2015.
Rennie, a former coach of the Australian national team, was described by New Zealand Rugby President David Kirk as a “world-class” coach “who has consistently shown an ability to create an environment for fine performance and to win.” Kirk added, “Dave knows what it means to coach the All Blacks and offers a style of rugby that reflects who we are as New Zealanders.”
The appointment comes after the federation parted ways with compatriot Scott Robertson on January 15, citing the need for change ahead of the 2027 World Cup as a key factor.
Robertson was relieved of his duties midway through a four-year contract with a record of 20 wins in 27 matches, deemed insufficient for the ambitions of the program.
Previously Approached in 2019
“Coaching the All Blacks is an incredible honor. I am extremely proud to be given this role and understand the expectations that come with it,” Rennie said Wednesday. He was previously dismissed from his role with the Wallabies in January 2023, prior to the Rugby World Cup in France.
Rennie was first approached by New Zealand Rugby in 2019, ultimately choosing to coach the Australian national team after advanced discussions. He failed to win a title with the Wallabies and has since worked with the Kobelco Kobe Steelers in Japan.
At the club level, he led the New Zealand Chiefs franchise to success in Super 15 twice (2012 and 2013) before joining the Glasgow Warriors, whom he led to the Pro14 final (Celtic League).
With roots in the Cook Islands through his mother, Rennie becomes the first All Blacks coach with Oceanian heritage, according to New Zealand Rugby. His contract allows him to fulfill commitments with the Kobelco Kobe Steelers in the Japanese championship until the end of the season in May, before a series of home matches against France, Italy, and Ireland in July.
