All Blacks assistants named - Umaga, Barnes in
- 5 hours ago
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All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie has confirmed his assistant coaching group and head of performance through to the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
Neil Barnes, Tana Umaga and Mike Blair join Jason Ryan, who was part of both Ian Foster and Scott Robertson’s tenures, as assistant coaches.
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Phil Healey has been appointed the new All Blacks head of performance.
Scott Hansen, Tamati Ellison and Bryn Evans, all assistants under Robertson, who lost the head coach job in January are no longer in their roles. Although Ellison ihas been appointed Māori All Blacks head coach.
Rennie said he had recruited a group of coaches who each have proven experience and were world class in their specialist fields.
“This is a very experienced and highly skilled coaching team. Each of these men has a track record of getting the best out of the players and teams they coach, and they are each hugely motivated to get stuck in and deliver the same success with the All Blacks.”
Current Taranaki NPC coach Barnes will take on the senior assistant coach role and also bring lineout expertise, while Ryan retains his role as forwards coach with a focus on scrum and maul.
All Blacks great Umaga, currently head coach of Moana Pasifika, will take on the defence portfolio at the conclusion of Moana Pasifika’s season.
The attack will be led by former Scotland halfback Mike Blair who is currently attack coach under Rennie at the Kobe Steelers in Japan.
Blair will complete the current Japan Rugby League One season before moving to New Zealand, subject to the granting of a work visa by the New Zealand Government.
“Neil provides outstanding leadership and strategic support; Jase has proven himself as one of the best forwards coaches in the game;
Tana brings immense mana and defensive insight; and Mike will bring his innovative approach and attention to detail to our attack. I know this group will challenge and support both me and our players to bring the best out of us all,” said Rennie.
“This has been a thorough appointment process that included conversations with each of the former All Blacks assistant coaches. I want to acknowledge those men, who have all contributed so positively and professionally to this process and to the legacy of the All Blacks.
They are each excellent coaches in their own right, who I know will go on to achieve further success in their careers.”
Ellison, Hansen and Evans are the latest in a series of assistant coaches to finish up with the All Blacks earlier than anticipated.
They join John Plumtree and Brad Mooar, who were cut during Ian Foster’s tenure as head coach, while Leon MacDonald and Jason Holland moved on prior to Robertson losing his job.
Ellison will lead the Māori All Blacks in the Challenge Cup in June against a Japan XV at Paloma Mizuho Stadium in Nagoya.
All Blacks coaching team:
Dave Rennie – Head Coach
Neil Barnes – Senior Assistant Coach
Jason Ryan – Forwards Coach
Faʻalogo Tana Umaga – Defence Coach
Mike Blair – Attack Coach
Phil Healey – Head of Performance
