New All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie on Tuesday named his back room 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.
The 62-year-old former Wallabies coach Rennie has been tasked with whipping New Zealand into shape for next year’s World Cup in Australia following a scathing 2025 performance review and a rumoured player revolt against previous head coach Scott Robertson.
New Zealand are in Pool A at the tournament with hosts Australia, Chile and Hong Kong.
Jason Ryan, who was an assistant to Robertson and his predecessor, 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.
Previous head coach Scott Robertson was sacked midway through a four-year contract. Photo: AP
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.