All Blacks confirm new head coach after long wait

Rennie has agreed to a two-year deal that will take him through to the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia. His immediate focus will be the inaugural Nations Championship and the upcoming Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour, as he begins shaping the next phase of the national side.

The 62-year-old arrives with a wealth of experience at both international and club level. He previously led the Wallabies and enjoyed major success with the Chiefs, steering the Super Rugby franchise to consecutive titles after taking charge in 2012. Earlier in his coaching career, Rennie guided the New Zealand Under-20 side to three straight world championships beginning in 2008.

Rennie also spent time in the northern hemisphere with Glasgow Warriors, taking over from Gregor Townsend ahead of the 2017–18 season. In his first campaign, Glasgow reached the Pro14 semi-finals but were beaten at Scotstoun Stadium by the Scarlets, while their European Champions Cup run ended at the pool stage.

Since parting ways with Australia in 2023, Rennie has been coaching Japan Rugby League One club Kobe Steelers. He will see out the remainder of the Japanese season before returning home to begin his tenure with New Zealand.

“On behalf of the Board, I’d like to congratulate Dave on his appointment as All Blacks Head Coach,” NZR Chair David Kirk said. “He is a world-class coach who has consistently shown he can build strong performance environments and win.

“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 steps into one of the most demanding roles in world rugby, following Robertson’s 74 per cent win rate and high-profile exit. Despite the pressure, the Wellington native described the opportunity as an “honour” and will become the first All Blacks head coach of Pasifika heritage.

“Coaching the All Blacks is an incredible honour,” Rennie said. “I’m extremely proud to have been entrusted with this role and understand the expectations that come with it.

“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.”

The selection process was led by a New Zealand Rugby panel that included former All Blacks Dane Coles and Keven Mealamu, alongside senior executives and high-performance experts. Rennie and former Japan head coach Jamie Joseph were understood to be the leading contenders, with Kirk describing the search as the most thorough in the team’s history.

“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. 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.”