There was a palpable atmosphere of excitement at New Zealand Rugby’s Auckland headquarters this afternoon before new All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie addressed the media for the first time, and most of it was coming from the organisation’s staff.
The knowledge that they can move forward after Scott Robertson’s shock dismissal in January was clearly reassuring, but the man himself – a humble 62-year-old who has enjoyed success everywhere he has coached – has clearly made an impression already.
And, after Rennie’s 24-minute address alongside NZ Rugby chairman David Kirk, a to-and-fro in front of half a dozen television cameras and a large contingent of reporters crammed into a small area just off the reception area, that excitement would almost certainly have grown.
Rennie, awarded the job over coaching rival Jamie Joseph this morning after a three-and-a-half hour interview yesterday afternoon, spoke with a calmness and clarity that suggested if anyone can turn the All Blacks around, starting in July with three Nations Championship Tests at home – despite not being available to coach fulltime until June due to his contract with Kobe Steelers – it will be him.
Moreover, the reporters who hung on every word will have left with a sense of optimism if not excitement themselves because Rennie gave out enough juicy soundbites and story angles to keep them (or us) busy for days.
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One, in particular, was the hope that 109-Test All Blacks lock Brodie Retallick, now with him at Kobe, and who won two Super Rugby titles with him at the Chiefs, could once again be eligible for the All Blacks.
“I get to see him train and play every week,” Rennie said of Retallick, 34, when asked about his general views on the subject. “He’s stronger than he’s ever been and fitter than he’s ever been. He’s the top try scorer in Japan at the moment with 11."
Could you lure him back?
“I’m not sure I’m allowed to yet but there’s no doubt if you’re going to win a World Cup, ideally, you have your best players available.
“Obviously, Richie [Mo’unga] is coming back which will be good – he’s been in great form in Japan. Certainly, to have someone like Brodie Retallick coming into the environment would really grow the whole group. He’s done a phenomenal job around leadership at Kobe.”
A change of eligibility criteria at board level would be required for Retallick to be available while he is playing overseas.
Interestingly, the eligibility drum was beaten regularly by Rennie’s predecessor Robertson, at least early in his tenure. It was interesting, too, that Robertson’s name was not mentioned once this afternoon – perhaps no surprise given how that tenure finished; a decisive push after a scathing review at the end of last year.
The good vibes continued. Yes, the All Blacks can win next year’s World Cup, Rennie, the former Wallabies head coach sacked before the 2023 edition, said.
“The answer is yes and it will take a hell of a lot of work. It will take a lot of alignment. Rest assured, we’ll be working together. When you look at the game model, we’ve got to make sure our players and staff… are all aligned so we’re in the best possible position to execute and play well.
“It’s a sprint from here… I’m well aware that with the way the draw works out, as is typical fashion at World Cups we’re likely to meet South Africa in a quarter-final. We’ll get a bit of practice against them this year.”
And, yes, he was looking forward to the gruelling six-week tour of South Africa in August and September.
“I’m really excited about that tour,” he said. “Some people might think it’s daunting but we’re going to get six weeks in Africa with 40-odd players. It’s a massive opportunity for us to really drive culture and get some detail into our game model and come out of there 12 months away from a World Cup with clarity and excitement.”
There were some questions that he could not or would not answer, though, including who he will name as his assistants. Rennie’s answer will add to the feeling of uncertainty felt by incumbents Jason Ryan, Tamati Ellison and Scott Hansen.
“We’ll work through that,” Rennie said. “I’ve got a strength of surrounding myself with quality people – people that can make a difference.
“I’m keen on bringing some people in. Whenever a head coach leaves it affects a lot of people and I want to sit down with some of the affected people and make some decisions over the next week or two.”
NZ Rugby chairman Kirk said Rennie was best able to explain how he would “build and maintain a culture and what it takes to win rugby games in the modern era”.
Culture, Rennie said, “is a key part to understanding who we represent and how we want to be perceived”.
On winning in the modern era, he said: “I’m really clear on the game we want to play and the detail within that – the type of athlete we need and how we’re going to make shifts.
“I won’t go into detail about that and I won’t throw the previous regime under the bus but I can assure you that I’ve watched a lot of footy already and I have some firm ideas about the shifts we need to make us better.”
He said he would speak to the players before making a decision on his captain, but it would be a surprise if he did not choose current vice-captain Ardie Savea, who plays under him at Kobe, as Scott Barrett’s replacement.
Encouragingly for most of those attending and further afield, Rennie added: “I guess one advantage is players are going to have to earn the right to wear the jersey. I’ve got no loyalties, I don’t come from a team where I’ve had a lot of these guys… I think that’s really exciting and I’ll select players on form."
At the end of it all, if any of his quotes could sum up Rennie best today it was this one regarding his agenda before Robertson's departure opened up an opportunity he could hardly have imagined when he left New Zealand nine years ago: “My plan was to come home, spend a bit of time in Palmy, cut a bit of firewood and be an unpaid assistant coach at Manawatū.”
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