Bernard Jackman reveals how All Blacks got ‘timing’ of Dave Rennie appointment right compared to Wallabies approach
New All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie and former Ireland hooker Bernard Jackman (inset).
Bernard Jackman has highlighted the different methods which New Zealand Rugby (NZR) and Rugby Australia (RA) took with the succession plans of the appointments of their respective head coaches and feels the former’s approach was the better of the two.
In March, NZR announced that Dave Rennie would take over the All Blacks’ coaching reins from Scott Robertson, who was axed from the position at the start of this year.
At the time, Rennie remained with his club Kobelco Kobe Steelers until the conclusion of the Japan Rugby League One campaign last month before taking charge of the All Blacks for their Nations Championship campaign.
Solid start to Rennie’s rein as All Blacks coach
New Zealand have made a solid start to that competition as they registered victories over France and Italy ahead of their clash against Ireland at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday.
Meanwhile, RA confirmed in April 2025 that Les Kiss would be the Wallabies‘ new head coach, but he is only set to replace Joe Schmidt in that position after the completion of this month’s round of Nations Championship Tests.
Australia have already suffered back-to-back defeats against Ireland and Les Bleus in the competition and Schmidt’s reign will come to an end after this weekend’s clash with Italy in Perth.
Ex-Connacht, Leinster and Ireland hooker Jackman believes RA missed a trick by not appointing Kiss from the start of the Nations Championship while NZR’s “timing” with Rennie’s appointment has worked out well.
“Obviously you’re used to incredibly high standards (in New Zealand), but I think there’s enough in this team and the coaching staff that Rennie’s put in and the time, I think the timing (of his appointment) is massive,” he told the DSPN podcast with Martin Devlin.
“I look at what Australia haven’t done. They’ve left Les Kiss waiting and I just think they’ve missed three games. They’ve missed three games to get him working and that’s not against Joe Schmidt.
“Joe Schmidt’s a phenomenal coach, but I think Rennie, it’s a narrow enough countdown to the World Cup.
Rennie’s appointment came at the right time
“And I think getting started when he did is just the right amount of time. Any less would be pretty tight.”
Jackman said he has rated Rennie highly as a coach and has been impressed with what he’s seen of the All Blacks under his guidance so far.
“I’ve been impressed with them over the two games,” he said.
“France mightn’t have had their best players, but France, with any team they put out are a test. And I thought the All Blacks navigated that and those tricky moments pretty well.
“And then likewise, Italy were the real surprise package in this year’s Six Nations. (They) have an unbelievable scrum, have a centre partnership who could play for any team in the world and attacked the All Blacks, there’s a real edge to them.
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“And I thought the All Blacks rode that storm and ended up pulling away at the end.
“So, I think they’ve had two really good prep games. It’s early days for Dave Rennie, but I like the shape they’re playing with, that 1-3-2-1 shape and the variety they’re playing with, two playmakers, being able to play narrow when they need to.
“I think they’ve got 15 players who are comfortable on the ball, all good carriers.
“Dave Rennie teams, I grew up watching them, (the) play of the Chiefs. And then obviously when he came to Glasgow, his teams had a certain way of playing and I can see the All Blacks starting to show signs of being a Dave Rennie coached side.”