Dave Rennie says “it’s not about me” as the All Blacks coach prepares for his first clash against Australia, three years after his abrupt departure from the Wallabies.
Rennie harbours no resentment towards Australian rugby ahead of Saturday’s opening Bledisloe Cup Test at Eden Park, where New Zealand put a formidable 23-year unbeaten streak in Auckland on the line.
He has brushed off suggestions he would have a point to prove following the unceremonious end of his three seasons as coach of Australia, when replaced by Eddie Jones just eight months out from the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
“It’s not about me. You know, I’ve got no regrets,” Rennie said on Thursday.
“I got to work with some really good people, people I still have a lot of time for. It’s just a part of the game that we’re involved in.
“I’ve loved coming back here now and working with these guys [All Blacks]. We’re highly motivated this week, but it’s not about me.”
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Rennie’s focus was on naming a team amid a host of injuries, the latest a calf tear to Richie Mo’unga that also rules the key playmaker out of next week’s Test in Sydney.
Damian McKenzie moves from fullback to flyhalf, with 145-Test veteran Beauden Barrett at fullback in his first start of the year.
There are six starting changes from the team who lost 43-28 to South Africa in Baltimore a month ago.
The most notable is the return of veteran forward Scott Barrett, nearly a year after his last Test, when he was New Zealand’s captain.
Having been sidelined by back surgery in May and replaced as skipper by Ardie Savea, Barrett returns for his 90th Test after just two brief provincial appearances.
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Rennie said the 32-year-old had made an immediate impact on a team led by seasoned hooker Codie Taylor in the absence of the injured Savea.
“Scott’s come back really well. Certainly when we trained this morning, you can see his influence, his leadership.”
The backline features two other changes from the Baltimore Test, with winger Leroy Carter and centre Quinn Tupaea restored.
Wallace Sititi returns to the back row while Josh Lord joins Barrett in a new-look lock pairing.
– AFP
Photo: Fiona Goodall/Getty Images
The post Rennie has no regrets about his exit appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Dave Rennie says “it’s not about me” as the All Blacks coach prepares for his first clash against Australia, three years after his abrupt departure from the Wallabies.
The post Rennie has no regrets about his exit appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
