New All Blacks head coach confirmed as Jamie Joseph overlooked for top job
Split image of All Blacks head coach candidates Jamie Joseph and Dave Rennie.
The All Blacks have announced the head coach that will take them into the 2027 Rugby World Cup after Dave Rennie was confirmed as Scott Robertson’s successor.
Jamie Joseph was seen as the frontrunner, with the 56-year-old currently coaching in New Zealand and taking charge of the second-string All Blacks XV last November, but Rennie is the candidate they have opted for.
The 62-year-old took the Chiefs to successive Super Rugby titles in 2012 and 2013, but he will make his return to New Zealand later this year after spending the past nine years abroad.
‘World-class coach’
“On behalf of the Board, I’d like to congratulate Dave on his appointment as All Blacks Head Coach. He is a world-class coach who has consistently shown he can build strong performance environments and win,” New Zealand Rugby chair David Kirk said.
“Dave understands what it means to coach the All Blacks and play a style of rugby that reflects who we are as New Zealanders.
“He has a deep understanding of rugby in New Zealand and the role the All Blacks play in shaping our national identity and bringing communities together.”
Rennie left the Chiefs in 2017 in order to head to Glasgow Warriors before he was appointed Wallabies boss after the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
He was dumped prior to the 2023 global tournament and has been in charge of the Kobelco Kobe Steelers in Japan since then.
In a statement from NZR, it was confirmed that Rennie will remain with Kobe until the conclusion of the Japan Rugby League One campaign before taking charge of the Nations Championship openers against France, Italy and Ireland.
“Coaching the All Blacks is an incredible honour. I’m extremely proud to have been entrusted with this role and understand the expectations that come with it,” the new All Blacks boss said.
“I’m really clear on the way I want the All Blacks to play and I look forward to working with the players, management team, and the rugby community. We have a lot of talent here and we will be working extremely hard to make the country proud.”
Jamie Joseph ‘miffed’ by All Blacks recruitment process to assess his ‘worthiness’
Joseph’s apparent frustrations
It was always seen as a two-horse race between Rennie and Joseph, but it is a slight surprise that the latter was not selected.
However, it was reported that the current Highlanders boss was understood to be ‘miffed’ with the recruitment process and that might have counted against him.
“The All Blacks are set for a challenging and exciting two seasons ahead and it’s critical we followed a thorough process to find the right head coach,” Kirk added.
“Dave has a clear direction for the team that gives us confidence the team will be well positioned to perform as we head into the 2027 Rugby World Cup.”
NZ Rugby also announced Rennie has not yet selected his assistants and that will be confirmed in due course.
