The depth of All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie’s preparation for his recent successful interview has been revealed, with a former international saying Rennie presented about 100 video analysis clips to the panel.
According to former All Blacks halfback Ant Strachan, the clips, from recent All Blacks’ Tests, were accompanied by an explanation from Rennie about where improvements were required and how he could assist.
Appointed as All Blacks head coach last Wednesday after an interview the day before which lasted almost four hours, Rennie’s homework and ability to highlight the critical on-field factors hampering the national team under former coach Scott Robertson clearly paid off.
In a discussion on Rennie’s appointment on Sport Nation radio over the weekend, Strachan said: “Let’s be honest, the All Blacks’ attack has stagnated over the last couple of years and it falls really nicely into Dave Rennie’s wheelhouse – his structures and his ability to adapt.
“It’s not common knowledge but I know Dave Rennie presented 100 analysis clips through the application [and interview] process and all the clips were about where the All Blacks could potentially improve from 2025.
“That’s extensive – he would have spent a lot of time going through that, so I think he has a really good handle on what our DNA is and, on top of that, what areas that we are under-achieving in.”
The All Blacks won nine and lost three Tests last year after winning 10 and losing four in 2024.
A success rate of 73% is not the worst but the manner of many of the performances, including a shocking defeat to the Springboks last year, a lack of consistency and failure to develop is what ultimately did for Robertson ahead of next year’s World Cup. As New Zealand Rugby chairman David Kirk succinctly said when announcing Robertson's dismissal in January: "Things were not on track".
There is a feeling among the wider coaching fraternity that Robertson felt under so much pressure to win that innovation and development took a back seat to the here and now.
That was probably reflected in his selections for the final Test of 2024 – a 29-11 victory over Italy in Turin characterised by flat performances from several of his first-stringers who had already endured a long year.
An odd conservatism in Robertson’s selections could also be seen in last November's line-up to play England at Twickenham.
During his two years in the job he was always reluctant to roll the dice on an innovative bench selection and he was out-thought in this area by opposite Steve Borthwick. After leading at halftime the All Blacks suffered a familiar second-half collapse.
Furthermore, the All Blacks appeared confused about their strategic direction after halftime following Beauden Barrett's leg injury and the sinbinning of hooker Codie Taylor. The All Blacks, still leading 12-11, were awarded a penalty in England's territory but rather than take a shot at goal or kick for touch they elected for a quick tap which resulted in an error and a loss of possession.
Rennie said at his announcement that the All Blacks’ attack would be a major focus, with Kirk, standing alongside him, confirming Rennie’s “clear plan” and openness to different ideas, particularly from the Northern Hemisphere, helped sway the interview panel.
Such an admission would make it more likely for Rennie to bring in his own assistants, and he is thought to be favouring Andrew Strawbridge, Neil Barnes, both of whom worked with him at the Chiefs, and the Edinburgh-born former Scotland halfback Mike Blair – his attack coach at Glasgow and now also with him at Kobe.
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