Why Eddie Jones reckons the All Blacks have an advantage under Dave Rennie as ‘perception’ perhaps became ‘reality’ with Scott Robertson
New All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie and former boss Scott Robertson.
Dave Rennie’s almost decade-long stint away from New Zealand can give him an edge on his All Blacks head coach predecessor, Scott Robertson.
If New Zealand Rugby aren’t promoting from within the Test team, they are hiring from one of their Super Rugby franchises which is what they did with Robertson.
However, they have changed tack by looking towards Rennie, who has not been coaching in the country since leaving the Chiefs in 2017.
Coaching abroad
While at the Waikato outfit, he won successive Super Rugby titles in 2012 and 2013, but he left to join Glasgow Warriors and remained there until 2020.
The 62-year-old went on to the Wallabies, with his stint ending prior to the 2023 Rugby World Cup, before he joined the Kobelco Kobe Steelers.
Rennie’s only previous stint in international rugby, which therefore qualified him for the All Blacks role following Robertson’s departure, ended disastrously, but it played a key role in NZR’s decision.
Despite finishing with a 38 per cent win rate, he received a positive review from his former charges, who gave glowing feedback to NZR.
That Test experience was therefore vital for the governing body, but Jones believes that his lack of attachment to the five franchises could be even more beneficial.
“The only other big difference it will make, and it’s a bit of a funny one, is I reckon every player in New Zealand now will think they have a chance to play for the All Blacks,” he said on the Rugby Unity podcast.
“When Scott Robertson came in, being a successful Super Rugby coach like he was, there would have been a perception he’s going to favour the Crusaders players.
“I’m not saying that’s right at all, but there would have been a perception… and maybe that perception becomes a little more real for players.”
Discarded players back in contention
While Rennie has an association with the Chiefs, he will not have worked with many of the current players, which is in stark contrast to Robertson.
He went straight from the Crusaders – where he won seven Super Rugby titles in as many seasons – to the All Blacks job and Jones believes that could be an important factor for the players.
“Dave coming in, no real attachment to any team, he’s been out of the country. Guys like [Dalton] Papali’i, they will all be thinking, ‘I’m a red-hot goer’,” he added.
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“Where New Zealand are at the moment, where their team is developing and they need competition for places, that’s going to be an advantage for them.”
Although Papali’i is unlikely to be considered this year having signed for Castres in the Top 14, Jones might be correct in thinking overlooked Blues players could come back into the reckoning.
READ MORE: Dave Rennie: The All Blacks aren’t the sole innovators in rugby, the north have made massive strides
