All Blacks great named in Rennie's coaching group
Dave Rennie overhauls All Blacks coaching staff with Umaga, Blair, and Barnes joining; Barnes re-signed with Taranaki through 2026 Rugby World Cup, Ryan is the only retained coach.
- All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie named Tana Umaga, Neil Barnes and Mike Blair as assistant coaches, joining retained forwards coach Jason Ryan in the national team set-up.
- Rennie retained just one coach from Scott Robertson's group after the former All Blacks head coach was sacked in January this year, signaling a significant staff overhaul.
- Neil Barnes brings proven domestic credentials, having coached alongside Rennie at the Chiefs and guiding Taranaki to an unbeaten 2021 season and a second NPC title in 2023.
- Mike Blair, Scotland's most capped halfback, joins as attack coach after currently working with Rennie at Kobe, bringing established coaching experience from Glasgow and Scotland.
- Umaga, who played under Rennie in Wellington's 2000 NPC title win, returns as defence coach after coaching All Blacks vice-captain Ardie Savea at Moana Pasifika last season.
33 Articles
33 Articles
In the midst of a recast after disappointing results, the All Blacks launched a new round towards the 2027 World Cup. Breeder Dave Rennie decided to lean on a mythical figure of New Zealand rugby...
Should the Springboks be worried about new-look All Blacks coaching staff?
New All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie on Tuesday named his backroom team to take New Zealand through to next year’s Rugby World Cup, retaining one old face but turning mostly to former assistants from his successful club coaching career. Moana Pasifika head coach and former all Blacks captain Tana Umaga has joined Dave Rennie’s coaching set-up with New Zealand. Image: Sanka Vidanagama / AFP Jason Ryan, who was an assistant to previous head coach…
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