Sonny Bill Williams is a big fan of Dave Rennie's appointment as All Blacks coach, having played under him for several years at the Chiefs.
The former All Black took to social media to congratulate Rennie, recounting the way he turned the Chiefs' Super Rugby fortunes around.
The team bounced back from a last-place NZ conference finish (and 10th overall) in the 2011 season to claim their first title in 2012 – Rennie's first season in charge.
"I remember going in the first meeting," Williams said.
"He didn't hold back on the situation that we were in.
"[The] Chiefs had come last the year before, so he spelled that out plainly. But then also he set the tone for the expectations that he had in order for you to wear that jersey, to wear that Chiefs jersey. And that's where I believe a lot of the Chiefs mana within our squad came from."
He also mentioned Rennie's role in the comeback of Australian player Quade Cooper, saying the Wallabies' decision to sack him in 2023 would "come back to bite them".
Cooper took to X on Wednesday, saying the Wallabies "let one of the best coaches in the game go".
Williams said one of Rennie's greatest strengths was his ability to build a team's culture.
"As I always say, you've got to connect to correct, and I think that's one of Dave's big strengths.
"Man, exciting times."
Currently coaching in Japan, Rennie will lead the All Blacks through this year’s inaugural Nations Championship and an eight-match tour of South Africa before beginning preparations for next year’s World Cup in Australia.
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