Stepping into the role with minimal prep time, Coach Dave Rennie is implementing a "simple structure" for the All Blacks as they gear up for a titanic clash against France in Christchurch. With just 10 days to prepare, Rennie is focusing on a straightforward game plan for the upcoming Nations Championship Test.
Rennie, who recently concluded a club contract in Japan, took over the All Blacks' reins in March following the dismissal of Scott Robertson. His tenure begins with limited engagement with the team, having previously coached only a few members of the 34-strong squad. "I’m enjoying it, it’s been good getting to know them better," Rennie shared upon the team's arrival in Christchurch.
"A lot of it now is around a simple structure from an attack point of view, getting really good connection defensively, and we just want the guys to get out there and be really clear and play."
The team also welcomes back key players from injury setbacks. Star fullback Will Jordan is fit following a calf muscle issue, and forwards Wallace Sititi and Tupou Vai’i have cleared concussion protocols, bolstering the squad after missing the latter part of the Super Rugby season.
Rennie dismissed the notion that France might be weakened by the absence of players from Toulouse and Montpellier, who were involved in the Top-14 final. He pointed out France's deep talent pool, highlighting, "People will talk about the fact that Toulouse played this weekend, and so they’ll be missing them, but there’ll be 11 players from Bordeaux, the European champions. France have 28 professional sides, but they have the greatest depth in world rugby, and so they’ve always got a lot of quality players to pick from." He praised his counterpart, "Fabien’s smart, and so they’ll have a plan around what things look like. They’ll be a good side."
Veteran hooker Codie Taylor commented on Rennie's immediate influence, "He’s not afraid to be the boss, he definitely owns the room when he speaks, but in a way that’s not too daunting. It’s just in a way that you respect and you know what he wants out there on the field."
The All Blacks are thus set to enter the field with a blend of seasoned warriors and emerging talents, all under the guidance of a coach who values simplicity and clarity on the grand stage of international rugby.