New All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie has made it clear that mere flashes of brilliance won't earn players a spot in his squad. With the Nations Championship looming, Rennie is focused on assembling a team that exemplifies hard work and consistent performance. He has already selected the 34 players for the upcoming series, emphasizing the importance of work ethic over sporadic standout plays.
"A big thing for me is going to be about work ethic. When guys do a few flash things, commentators and various people get excited by it, but we’re looking for repeat efforts and getting some big shifts out of players," Rennie elaborated in a discussion with Sky Sports NZ. This philosophy marks a shift from the approach of his predecessor, Scott Robertson, whose tenure was noted for a more conservative game plan.
"I’ve always had a mindset around counter-attack and turnover attack, and a massive amount of your possession now comes from the ball kicked to you."
Rennie's coaching style, honed during his stints with the Wallabies, Chiefs, and Glasgow Warriors, is characterized by a dynamic attacking strategy, especially potent during transitions. This contrasts with the All Blacks' recent struggles under Robertson to effectively create opportunities from turnovers.
"Last year, I think the All Blacks scored three tries from counter-attack and three from turnover attack, so we want to change the mindset around that and have some accountability around that," Rennie pointed out. His aim is to overhaul this aspect of their play as his tenure kicks off against France in July.
Moreover, Rennie is keen on fostering a positive playing environment, countering the negativity that often overshadowed Robertson's era despite a 74 percent win rate. "I think it’s [about] playing with a bit of optimism. You’ve got to have a quality skill set for that and you’re going to have to be really well conditioned," he added. The new coach's philosophy is to coach with optimism and expects his players to adopt this mindset wholeheartedly.
The transition under Rennie promises a refreshed approach for the All Blacks, focusing on robust work ethic, strategic counter-attacks, and an optimistic outlook on the game. As the team gears up for the Nations Championship, all eyes will be on how these shifts translate into performance on the field.
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New All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie has made it clear that mere flashes of brilliance won't earn players a spot in his squad. With the Nations Championship looming, Rennie is focused on assembling a team that exemplifies hard work and consistent performance. He has already selected the 34 players for the upcoming series, emphasizing the importance of work ethic over sporadic standout plays.
"A big thing for me is going to be about work ethic. When guys do a few flash things, commentators and various people get excited by it, but we’re looking for repeat efforts and getting some big shifts out of players," Rennie elaborated in a discussion with Sky Sports NZ. This philosophy marks a shift from the approach of his predecessor, Scott Robertson, whose tenure was noted for a more conservative game plan.
"I’ve always had a mindset around counter-attack and turnover attack, and a massive amount of your possession now comes from the ball kicked to you."
Rennie's coaching style, honed during his stints with the Wallabies, Chiefs, and Glasgow Warriors, is characterized by a dynamic attacking strategy, especially potent during transitions. This contrasts with the All Blacks' recent struggles under Robertson to effectively create opportunities from turnovers.
"Last year, I think the All Blacks scored three tries from counter-attack and three from turnover attack, so we want to change the mindset around that and have some accountability around that," Rennie pointed out. His aim is to overhaul this aspect of their play as his tenure kicks off against France in July.
Moreover, Rennie is keen on fostering a positive playing environment, countering the negativity that often overshadowed Robertson's era despite a 74 percent win rate. "I think it’s [about] playing with a bit of optimism. You’ve got to have a quality skill set for that and you’re going to have to be really well conditioned," he added. The new coach's philosophy is to coach with optimism and expects his players to adopt this mindset wholeheartedly.
The transition under Rennie promises a refreshed approach for the All Blacks, focusing on robust work ethic, strategic counter-attacks, and an optimistic outlook on the game. As the team gears up for the Nations Championship, all eyes will be on how these shifts translate into performance on the field.