Dave Rennie: All Blacks Coach – Career & Key Facts

Dave Rennie: All Blacks Coach – Career & Key Facts

March 4, 2026 Carlos Moreno - Sports Editor Sports

Former Chiefs, Glasgow Warriors and Australia head coach Dave Rennie will lead Latest Zealand into the 2027 Rugby World Cup. Here’s what you need to know about him…

Dave Rennie has been announced as the new head coach of the All Blacks. The appointment, confirmed on , sees Rennie tasked with guiding New Zealand through to the Rugby World Cup in Australia next year.

The 62-year-old former Wallabies coach edged out Jamie Joseph for one of the biggest jobs in world rugby following an extensive recruitment process that began after Scott Robertson’s departure in mid-January. Robertson had previously won 20 of 27 Tests in charge.

“Coaching the All Blacks is an incredible honour. I’m extremely proud to have been entrusted with this role and understand the expectations that come with it,” Rennie said in a New Zealand Rugby statement. “I’m really clear on the way I want the All Blacks to play and I appear 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.”

NZR Chair David Kirk emphasized Rennie’s understanding of New Zealand rugby and its cultural significance. “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.”

So, ahead of taking the reins, here’s a closer look at the man tasked with continuing the All Blacks’ legacy.

10 things you need to know about All Blacks Head Coach Dave Rennie

New All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)

  1. David Noel Rennie was born on , in Upper Hutt, New Zealand. His mother’s heritage is from the Cook Islands, making him the first All Blacks head coach with Pasifika heritage.
  2. Rennie’s playing career was modest, featuring 60 games for Wellington between 1986, and 1991. He retired at 27 due to a recurring shoulder injury while also working as a schoolteacher.
  3. Rennie credits his teaching background and early mentorship from Graham Mourie at Wellington for his coaching success. He led Wellington to an NPC title in 2000 and Manawatu to an NPC final in 2011.
  4. His success at the provincial level led to a role with the International Rugby Academy of New Zealand, where he guided the Under 20 All Blacks to three consecutive World Championships from 2008 to 2010, coaching players like Aaron Cruden, Julian Savea, and Sam Whitelock.
  5. Rennie then made his mark in Super Rugby, becoming the first coach to win a title in his first season with the Waikato Chiefs in 2012, defeating the Sharks in the final. He followed this with a second consecutive title in 2013, beating the Brumbies.
  6. Leaving the Chiefs in 2017, Rennie took on the challenge of coaching Glasgow Warriors in the Pro 12, replacing Gregor Townsend. He led the Warriors to the 2019 Pro 12 final.
  7. In 2020, Rennie was appointed head coach of Australia, replacing Michael Cheika. His tenure with the Wallabies saw a Rugby Championship runner-up finish in 2021, but ultimately ended in early 2023 with his replacement by Eddie Jones.
  8. Following his departure from the Wallabies, Rennie became head coach of the Kobe Steelers in Japan Rugby League in 2023, attracting All Blacks players like Ardie Savea, Anton Lienert-Brown, and Brodie Retallick.
  9. Rennie enjoys landscape gardening, finding it a relaxing contrast to the demands of professional rugby.
  10. In his early coaching days, Rennie also ran a pub called the Lonely Goat Herd in Upper Hutt.

Rennie’s appointment marks a new chapter for the All Blacks, and the rugby world will be watching closely to see how he shapes the team in the lead-up to the 2027 Rugby World Cup.