Dave Rennie shakes up All Blacks backroom team as 2027 Rugby World Cup looms
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New All Blacks coach Dave Rennie took over earlier in March from Scott Robertson, who was sacked midway through a four-year contract.
PHOTO: REUTERS
WELLINGTON – New All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie on March 24 named his backroom team to take New Zealand through to the 2027 Rugby World Cup, retaining one old face but turning mostly to former assistants from his successful club coaching career.
Jason Ryan, who was an assistant to previous head coaches Scott Robertson and Ian Foster, keeps his role as forwards coach. Neil Barnes, who worked with Rennie at Waikato Chiefs up to 2017, comes in as senior assistant coach.
Former All Blacks captain Tana Umaga is the new defence coach, while former Scotland captain and British and Irish Lion Mike Blair was named attack coach.
“This is a very experienced and highly skilled coaching team,” said Rennie.
“Each of these men has a track record of getting the best out of the players and teams they coach, and they are each hugely motivated to get stuck in and deliver the same success with the All Blacks.”
Blair was an assistant to Rennie at a successful Glasgow Warriors side in the Pro 14 league from 2017 to 2020 and has been alongside Rennie at Kobe Steelers in Japan since 2023.
“Tana (Umaga) brings immense ‘mana’ (power) and defensive insight and Mike (Blair) will bring his innovative approach and attention to detail to our attack,” Rennie added.
“I know this group will challenge and support both me and our players to bring the best out of us all.”
Highly respected strength and conditioning coach Phil Healey becomes All Blacks head of performance, having also worked with Rennie at the Chiefs, Glasgow and Kobe.
Umaga, who won 74 caps for the All Blacks, is currently head coach at Super Rugby’s Moana Pasifika, having previously been in charge at Auckland Blues.
“Just to be in the conversation, to have a role with the All Blacks again is pretty big,” said Umaga.
“It’s no small undertaking but it’s a privilege and an honour.”
Rennie took over earlier in March from Robertson, who was sacked midway through a four-year contract.
Rennie, the 62-year-old former Wallabies coach, has been tasked with whipping New Zealand into shape for the World Cup in Australia, following a scathing 2025 performance review and a rumoured player revolt against Robertson.
Rennie led the Waikato Chiefs to Super Rugby titles in 2012 and 2013, his first two years in charge. After leaving the Chiefs in 2017, he took charge of Glasgow Warriors.
The first matches for Rennie and his new coaching team will be at home in July against France, Italy and Ireland. AFP
