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Agence France-Presse

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.

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,” Rennie said.
“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 in 2018-19 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 said.
“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.
“Phil is one of the best in the business. We’ve worked closely together for a number of years,” Rennie said.
“We are aligned in what we expect from our athletes, and I have massive confidence in Phil’s ability to drive that in the gym and on the grass.”

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,” Umaga said.
“It’s no small undertaking but it’s a privilege and an honour.”
Rennie took over earlier this month from Robertson, who was sacked midway through a four-year contract.
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.


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Rugby World Cup 2027

Dave Rennie, who was named New Zealand coach earlier this month, has been given the task of whipping the All Blacks into shape for next year’s World Cup in Australia. Photo: AP

Previous head coach Scott Robertson was sacked midway through a four-year contract. Photo: AP

Former All Blacks captain Tana Umaga will be the new defence coach of the side. Photo: AP

Hong Kong sevens head has unfinished business, underlines world and Olympic aims

Paul John won his award for the Hong Kong sevens team’s success at the National Games and in the Asia Rugby Sevens Series last year. Photo: Karma Lo

Hong Kong (in white) beat Tonga at the HSBC SVNS 3 tournament in January before losing to Canada in the semi-finals, costing them the chance to play in the world series. Photo: World Rugby

Hong Kong’s men claimed National Games gold last year. Photo: Dickson Lee

First Nations & Pasifika aiming to unearth international stars on Hong Kong visit

Comprised of players of Indigenous Australian or Pacific Islander origin, First Nations & Pasifika gave the British & Irish Lions a tremendous fright in Melbourne last year. Photo: Getty Images

First Nations & Pasifika team will make their Tradition HKFC 10s debut next month. Photo: Getty Images

Matt Sonter is anticipating First Nations & Pasifika players putting their hands up for international selection during the Tradition HKFC 10s. Photo: handout

Sport

Rugby

International Rugby

Hong Kong

Hong Kong’s highest-ranked group stage opponent for tournament in Australia retain one member of previous team, bring in All Blacks legend


Hong Kong’s highest-ranked group stage opponent for tournament in Australia retain one member of previous team, bring in All Blacks legend.


New Zealand coach Dave Rennie shakes up back room team as 2027 Rugby World Cup looms

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Hong Kong’s highest-ranked group stage opponent for tournament in Australia retain one member of previous team, bring in All Blacks legend

Hong Kong’s highest-ranked group stage opponent for tournament in Australia retain one member of previous team, bring in All Blacks legend