In a revealing twist to the All Blacks coaching saga, new head coach Dave Rennie welcomed the selection panel to Japan to witness his coaching methods firsthand, a move that contrasted sharply with the experiences of contender Jamie Joseph. Rennie's open-door approach during the selection process highlights a dynamic shift in leadership style for New Zealand rugby.
During the intense selection period, former All Blacks hooker Dane Coles and acting NZR chief executive Steve Lancaster spent a week evaluating both Rennie and Jamie Joseph. This innovative approach by the NZ Rugby appointment panel reportedly left Joseph feeling slighted. As per the New Zealand Herald, Joseph was "miffed" about having observers scrutinize his coaching style, especially given his extensive coaching resume which includes teams like Wellington, the Highlanders, and various All Blacks squads.
Speaking to All Blacks legend Jeff Wilson on Sky Sports NZ, Rennie shared his perspective on the selection process.
"I thought the process was excellent. I invited them to come to Japan... So they could see warts and all; how we plan, prepare and conduct trainings and so on."
This open invitation was part of Rennie's strategy to reintroduce himself to New Zealand rugby after a nine-year stint overseas.
Despite the rigorous and lengthy interview process, Rennie found time to appreciate the gentlemanly conduct of his competitor. He revealed that Joseph sent him a congratulatory message immediately after the decision was made, a classy gesture amidst the competitive tension.
Rennie, known for his unique coaching style which he describes as putting "an arm around someone while digging into their ribs," aims to instill a culture of care combined with high demands to extract the best from his players. This approach could be the key to revitalizing the All Blacks, who seek improvement despite being one of the top-ranked teams globally.
Looking forward, Rennie has set his sights on enhancing the basics of the game.
"We need to be brilliant at basics... Our footwork through contact, the ability to create one-on-one situations where we get better gain line and faster ball,"
Rennie detailed, emphasizing the importance of meticulous attention to fundamental skills to elevate the team's performance.
With the Rugby World Cup on the horizon, Rennie's forward-thinking approach might just be what the All Blacks need to reclaim their top spot in world rugby. His plans and the recent coaching selection drama indicate an exciting era ahead for New Zealand rugby.
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In a revealing twist to the All Blacks coaching saga, new head coach Dave Rennie welcomed the selection panel to Japan to witness his coaching methods firsthand, a move that contrasted sharply with the experiences of contender Jamie Joseph. Rennie's open-door approach during the selection process highlights a dynamic shift in leadership style for New Zealand rugby.
During the intense selection period, former All Blacks hooker Dane Coles and acting NZR chief executive Steve Lancaster spent a week evaluating both Rennie and Jamie Joseph. This innovative approach by the NZ Rugby appointment panel reportedly left Joseph feeling slighted. As per the New Zealand Herald, Joseph was "miffed" about having observers scrutinize his coaching style, especially given his extensive coaching resume which includes teams like Wellington, the Highlanders, and various All Blacks squads.
Speaking to All Blacks legend Jeff Wilson on Sky Sports NZ, Rennie shared his perspective on the selection process.
"I thought the process was excellent. I invited them to come to Japan... So they could see warts and all; how we plan, prepare and conduct trainings and so on."
This open invitation was part of Rennie's strategy to reintroduce himself to New Zealand rugby after a nine-year stint overseas.Despite the rigorous and lengthy interview process, Rennie found time to appreciate the gentlemanly conduct of his competitor. He revealed that Joseph sent him a congratulatory message immediately after the decision was made, a classy gesture amidst the competitive tension.
Rennie, known for his unique coaching style which he describes as putting "an arm around someone while digging into their ribs," aims to instill a culture of care combined with high demands to extract the best from his players. This approach could be the key to revitalizing the All Blacks, who seek improvement despite being one of the top-ranked teams globally.
Looking forward, Rennie has set his sights on enhancing the basics of the game.
"We need to be brilliant at basics... Our footwork through contact, the ability to create one-on-one situations where we get better gain line and faster ball,"
Rennie detailed, emphasizing the importance of meticulous attention to fundamental skills to elevate the team's performance.With the Rugby World Cup on the horizon, Rennie's forward-thinking approach might just be what the All Blacks need to reclaim their top spot in world rugby. His plans and the recent coaching selection drama indicate an exciting era ahead for New Zealand rugby.