As the All Blacks gear up under the new leadership of Dave Rennie for the forthcoming Nations Championship, former All Blacks standout Murray Mexted is confident that Rennie's clear vision will steer the team well. Rennie, who recently announced a 34-man roster featuring four uncapped players, is praised for his balanced approach to team selection, focusing squarely on current form rather than past glories.
Mexted, speaking on the DSPN podcast with Martin Devlin, expressed his trust in Rennie's methodology. "It’s probably based on Dave Rennie to be frank as I’ve worked with him for many years. One thing about him is he’s very balanced and he’s got a very balanced perspective," Mexted noted. He emphasized Rennie's pragmatic approach to selection, "He doesn’t select on historic form, he selects on current form and if you’re on, he will pick you."
"He sees things clearly in my view and a lot of people get caught up with nostalgia and favouritism, and honour, but Dave just sees it really clearly."
Rennie's tenure comes after the dismissal of Scott Robertson in January. With the 2027 Rugby World Cup looming, Rennie's task is not only to refine the squad but also to enhance their communication and understanding of the game. Mexted highlighted Rennie's ability to convey his strategies clearly, a crucial factor for quick adaptation and cohesion within the team. "The other thing is no one can misunderstand Rens, even when you see an interview. He says things that are pertinent, there is no flowery stuff on the edges, he’s just going straight to it," he said.
Rennie's straightforward communication is seen as a remedy to the often convoluted explanations given by other coaches, which can leave players confused, especially under pressure. Mexted reassured that with Rennie, clarity prevails, "With Dave Rennie, whenever he’s interviewed, you will understand what he’s actually saying and his players do, and that’s the key to rugby."
Looking ahead, the All Blacks face formidable opponents such as France, Ireland, and South Africa. The challenges are steep, but Mexted believes that under Rennie's guidance, the team is on the right wavelength. "Being a team sport, you’ve got a lot of players, you’ve got 15 on the field and a whole lot on the sideline who could come on at any moment, and everyone has to be on the same wavelength," he added. This synchronization, according to Mexted, is pivotal for the All Blacks as they strive to excel at the highest level of rugby.
The stage is set for Rennie and his squad to prove their mettle in the upcoming international fixtures, a testament to their preparation, strategy, and the crystal-clear communication of their coach.