Analysis: Being challenged is key for an All Blacks head coach and Rennie's latest selection suggests he will be open to feedback, writes Patrick McKendry.
Dave Rennie’s decision to appoint Sir Graham Henry as a selector highlights his desire to be continually challenged as All Blacks head coach – a potential departure from his predecessor Scott Robertson.
Being open to potentially difficult conversations would appear to be a pre-requisite for the role but apparently this did not always apply to Robertson, a man who knew nothing but success as a head coach at Super Rugby level.
1News understands that one of the major themes of Robertson’s player feedback last year, before he was dismissed in January, was that, according to an insider, "he wouldn’t listen and was asked to change but couldn’t".
If there is one thing that Sir Graham, who led the All Blacks to World Cup glory in 2011 (and the Black Ferns to the top of the world in 2022), is known for – apart from his coaching successes – is his rugby knowledge and strong opinions.
Putting aside for a minute the suggestion that Robertson, who has continually denied the opportunity to have his say in the media after being let go by New Zealand Rugby, did not listen as much as some of his players may have liked, he was also potentially disadvantaged by the relative inexperience of his management group.
Robertson had a new manager, Paul McLaughlan, and new assistant coaches Jason Holland, Leon MacDonald, Tamati Ellison and Scott Hansen – none having coached the All Blacks before. MacDonald left halfway through Robertson’s first year and last year Holland signalled he would not apply to renew his contract.
Of his coaching group, only forwards coach Jason Ryan had previously coached New Zealand – for a year under previous head coach Ian Foster.
In contrast, Rennie has access to Sir Graham, who coached the All Blacks between 2004-2011, plus mental skills coach Gilbert Enoka, a man who enjoyed a long and successful stint at the All Blacks under Sir Graham, Sir Steve Hansen and Foster.
Enoka, who served the All Blacks between 2000 and 2023, was involved in more 300 Test matches. He will replace Dr Ceri Evans, who joined under Robertson in 2024.
Sir Graham will help Rennie and assistant coach Neil Barnes select the team. In an interview with RNZ’s Morning Report which highlighted his longevity in the game, Sir Graham said empowering players was imperative. "I think that's the key, giving players additional responsibility and ownership, and the more ownership they have, I think, the better they play,” Henry said. “That's how we approached it 20 years ago."
Rennie also has the services of former All Blacks captain Tana Umaga as an assistant coach (specialising in defence), plus former Scotland Test halfback Mike Blair (attack), who Rennie coached with at Glasgow and is currently alongside at Japanese club Kobe.
There is no doubt that Rennie has achieved his aim of appointing a management group that he knows and trusts. He will also bring a pragmatism and organisation to a role that will be far more intense that his last international gig with Australia.
The former could be seen yesterday when he revealed he would have selected Richie Mo’unga for the tour of South Africa in August and September – the first-five is currently ineligible according to NZ Rugby – and that he will be encouraging former All Blacks lock Brodie Retallick to take part in next year’s World Cup because, according to Rennie, Retallick is the best player in Japan and “the best lock in the world”.
There is also little doubt that a good percentage of Rennie’s appointments – Sir Graham, Enoka and Umaga – will assist in his goal to bring the All Blacks back to the values and traditions he may feel the side went away from in Robertson’s last year.
There is no doubt either that he will be well aware of the player feedback towards Robertson and that he will be turning some of those expectations back on to them – and particularly the senior leadership group.
For those in any doubt, Rennie will be expecting the highest standards of effort and intensity on the field from his men, particularly around the breakdown and contact areas.
One only needs to look at the man he regards as his standard bearer of excellence in Japan – the 34-year-old Retallick, a man still as ruthless and demanding as he was when he last wore the black jersey in 2023 – to know the type of player and commitment he likes.
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