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New Zealand Rugby release statement on Dave Rennie's appointment as Wallabies coach
By Online Editors
New Zealand Rugby has released a statement on the appointment of Dave Rennie as the new Wallabies head coach.
The New Zealand-born Rennie was among a handful of favourites to be in the running for the All Blacks job after the incumbent Steve Hansen stepped down from the position following the recent World Cup campaign in Japan.
However, despite being one of 26 coaches to be invited to apply to become Hansen's replacement, Rennie spurned the chance to push for New Zealand's top job, instead choosing to become Michael Cheika's successor at the Wallabies on a three-and-a-half-year deal.
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In doing so, the 55-year-old joins the likes of Jamie Joseph, Warren Gatland and Joe Schmidt in turning down the chance to coach the three-time world champions, effectively making it a two-horse race between All Blacks assistant Ian Foster and Crusaders boss Scott Robertson for the vacant All Blacks head coach position.
Following his announcement as the Australian boss on Wednesday, Rennie revealed to rugby.com.au that NZR's invitation to apply for the All Blacks role came too late in his decision-making process after having earlier been approached by Rugby Australia.
“I’m a proud Kiwi but the big thing is I’ve been talking to Australia for a lot of months and the All Blacks interest came in late in the piece and by that stage, we’d done a lot of homework, we were really excited about the opportunity to go to Australia and that ended up being an easy decision,” he said.
In response, NZR have issued a press release regarding RA's acquisition of the Glasgow Warriors coach to congratulate the former Super Rugby, NPC and U20 World Championship title-winner.
“We have known for some time that Dave was in talks with Rugby Australia, so we have been clear about his position regarding the All Blacks head coach position," NZR chairman Brent Impey said.
"We congratulate Dave on his appointment and wish him the best. We certainly look forward to hosting him as the head coach of the visiting team during the Rugby Championship.”
NZR released a similar statement about the appointment of Joseph as Japan head coach earlier this week in a deal which will see the ex-Highlanders boss lead the Brave Blossoms into the 2023 World Cup in France.
The next All Blacks head coach is expected to be announced in early December.
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Latest Comments
There is this thing going around against Siya Kolisi where they don't want him to be known as the best national captain ever, so they strike him down in ratings permanently whenever they can. They want McCaw and reckons he is the best captain ever. I disagree.
Just like they refuse to see SA as the best team and some have even said that should the Boks win a third WC in a row, they will still not be the best team ever. Even if they win every game between now and the WC. That is some serious hate coming SA's way.
Everyone forget how the McCaw AB's intimidated refs, was always on the wrong side, played on the ground etc. Things they would never have gotten away with today. They may have a better win ratio, but SA build depth, not caring about rank inbetween WC's until this year.
They weren't as bad inbetween as people claim, because non e of their losses was big ones and they almost never faced the strongest Bok team outside of the WC, allowing countries like France and Ireland to rise to the top unopposed.
Rassie is still at it, building more depth, getting more young stars into the fold. By the time he leaves (I hope never) he will leave a very strong Bok side for the next 15- 20 years. Not everyone will play for 20 years, but each year Rassie acknowledge the young stars and get them involved and ready for international rugby.
Not everyone will make it to the WC, but those 51/52 players will compete for those spots for the WC. They will deliver their best. The future of the Boks is in very safe hands. The only thing that bothers me is Rassie's health. If he can overcome it, rugby looks dark for the rest of the rugby world. He is already the greatest coach in WR history. By the time he retires, he will be the biggest legend any sport has ever seen
Go to commentsWas it? I just brought it up in some of my posts to rub it in that the AB last year nearly put 100 on a top 6N side lol
I agree to be honest. The biggest key to me that they might be jadded was none of them had mom performances, or even as good as their last three games.
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