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.

Source: Stuff March 06, 2026 20:49 UTC