New Zealand have turned a new page. The union confirmed on Wednesday 4 March the appointment of Dave Rennie as All Blacks head coach, with the brief of leading world rugby’s most famous side to the 2027 World Cup in Australia.

The 62-year-old New Zealand coach succeeds Scott Robertson, moved aside in January after a 2025 season judged inadequate by the standards of New Zealand rugby. The announcement ends several weeks of searching for the man who will have to revive a team shaken by results and internal tensions.

A former Wallabies boss between 2020 and 2023, Rennie has a solid reputation on the international stage. He made his name in particular by leading the Chiefs to two consecutive Super Rugby titles in 2012 and 2013 and by winning three world titles with the New Zealand under-20s.

2027 World Cup the priority

Currently committed to Japanese club the Kobe Steelers, he will first see out his contract before joining the national side to prepare for the July tests against France, Ireland and Italy. His tenure runs until the end of the 2027 World Cup, the top priority for a union that has not won the trophy since 2015.

Rennie’s appointment is also a symbolic first, since he becomes the first All Blacks head coach to come from the Pacific diaspora, through his mother, who is from the Cook Islands.

“Coaching the All Blacks is an incredible honour“, said the coach, aware of the enormous expectations surrounding the three-time world champions.