All Blacks legend set to join Dave Rennie’s coaching staff as just ‘one survivor’ from Scott Robertson’s regime

Dave Rennie’s backroom staff is beginning to take shape with legendary All Blacks Tana Umaga set to be announced as one of his assistants.

The former Wallabies boss was announced as Scott Robertson’s successor last week and is looking to get his coaching team in place as soon as possible.

According to 1News, Umaga is one of the people Rennie is set to bring in ahead of the start of their Test season in July.

Experienced coach

After stints with the Blues and Samoa, the legendary former All Blacks captain has been coaching Moana Pasifika since 2023, but his contract with the franchise ends following the conclusion of the current Super Rugby Pacific campaign.

He therefore looks likely to join up with the new regime later this year as they build towards the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.

Meanwhile, Taranaki’s Neil Barnes, who has been linked ever since Rennie took the job, appears set to be confirmed as another of his assistants.

The two combined at the Chiefs, and their partnership was crucial as they claimed the 2012 and 2013 Super Rugby titles. Barnes also has international experience, having coached Canada, Fiji and Italy, and very much fits the mould of someone Rennie feels he can trust.

There is a suggestion that the new All Blacks boss is looking to bring on board people he has worked with before, and Barnes and Umaga have both done so.

The latter was playing at Wellington and the Hurricanes when Rennie coached there in the early 2000s, and they appear set to reunite ahead of the Nations Championship.

It is evident that the 62-year-old wants to bring in his own people, but Jason Ryan, who has been the forwards coach under Ian Foster and Scott Robertson, should remain.

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One coach stays on board

1News state that Ryan will be the “one survivor” from Robertson’s coaching staff, having emerged from the dreaded end-of-season review, which put paid to the previous head honcho, with credit.

All Blacks legend Sir John Kirwan stated as much when discussing the coaching situation on the Rivals podcast.

Kirwan believes that retaining Ryan will be vital for “continuity” as mass changes in both the coaching and playing staff could do more harm than good.

“I think he will understand the difference in roles and understand the difference in pressure that his assistants will be under,” he said.

“From what I’ve heard, Jason Ryan came through the review positively so he’s probably someone you would keep on board for continuity.

“You’re probably going to start with 30 players who have been there before; you’re not going to start with 30 new players, so continuity is going to be very important.”

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