Kiwi rugby writer Richard Knowler has questioned NZ Rugby’s decision to allow new All Blacks coach Dave Rennie to remain in Japan until June.
Rennie has been granted permission to continue coaching the Kobe Kobelco Steelers in Japan Rugby League One until their season concludes.
Should Kobe reach the final on 7 June, Rennie will remain in Japan until after the Super Rugby Pacific league stage is complete.
“Rubbing shoulders with an All Blacks coach at Super Rugby fixtures has been a rite of passage for punters when entering the gates of New Zealand stadiums over the last three decades,” Knowler wrote on Stuff.co.nz.
“They could look across the rows of fans and almost hear the cogs inside the minds of Scott Robertson, Ian Foster, Steve Hansen or Graham Henry whirring as they stared intently at the current, or potential, All Blacks.
“That’s about to end.”
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Rennie will largely have to monitor players remotely as they push for selection ahead of New Zealand’s first Test of the year against France in Christchurch on 4 July, followed by fixtures against Italy and Ireland, all of which form part of the new Nations Championship.
“In the past it would have been deemed bonkers for NZ Rugby not to demand the All Blacks coach be domiciled in New Zealand so he could catch a flight to attend a match or drop into one of the five clubs and chat with a player or staff member to discuss law changes, tactics or anything else deemed worthy to discuss,” Knowler added. “Not anymore.”
However, Rennie has insisted the distance will not prevent him from effectively assessing players, explaining he will analyse matches and take notes from afar while also returning to New Zealand during Kobe’s bye weeks.
Photo: Phil Walter/Getty Images
The post Rennie’s Japan stint sparks All Blacks concerns appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
