All Blacks boss Rennie pumps Leinster links for Ireland info
New Zealand's head coach Dave Rennie looks on during the captain's run training session in Wellington on July 10, 2026, ahead of the rugby Nations Championship match against Italy. (Photo by Grant Down / AFP via Getty Images)
New All Blacks coach Dave Rennie admits he has drawn on his side’s links with Leinster ahead of Saturday’s blockbuster Nations Championship Test against Ireland at Eden Park.
Looking for any little edge to keep the All Blacks’ 32-year, 51-Test winning streak alive at the Auckland venue, Rennie said he had confirmed a few things with star back Jordie Barrett, who enjoyed a spell with Leinster in the 2024-25 season.
“Yeah, we had a leaders’ meeting last night, and so we did get him to confirm some of our thoughts,” said Rennie, who is preparing for his third Test in charge of the All Blacks since sensationally replacing Scott Robertson.
It’s not just Barrett sharing the inside oil either, with Rennie drafting in outside back Rieko Ioane, who just enjoyed his own sabbatical with the URC heavyweights, to the All Blacks.
What insights they offered to the All Blacks about the Leinster-heavy Irish remained closely guarded, but Rennie played down the inside mail given how much rugby has been played between the two nations over the past four years.
“I mean, a lot of our guys have played the Irish a lot, I know a lot about them,” Rennie said.
“I reckon the boys watch a lot more Northern Hemisphere footy than they might have half a dozen years ago, and so know a lot about the players.
“And, of course, the Irish have commanded a lot of respect through what they've achieved. So, yeah, we know what's coming and we're going to have to be very good in a lot of areas.”
It’s one thing knowing what’s coming, but it’s another stopping it.
Four years ago the All Blacks couldn’t stop the Irish wave, with Andy Farrell’s men coming from one Test down to win an epic series 2-1.
But their one Test defeat occurred at Eden Park, with the All Blacks prevailing 42-19.
Already Farrell has come out publicly and said Ireland firmly have their eyes on ending the All Blacks’ winning run at Eden Park.
That comes with its own pressure for Rennie, but the new All Black coach said he wasn’t spending anytime considering the factor.
“It’s not something I'll reflect on because I don't think it helps,” he said.
“This is just about us getting our prep right and our mindset right and performing well, and there's a lot of motivating factors for our boys wearing the All Black jersey and I guess that whole fortress mindset at Eden Park is one of those.”
He did, however, admit it will be nice having support thrown his way this time, having lost on several occasions at the venue during his tenure with the Wallabies.
“Yeah, it's always nice to go to Eden Park. It'll be nice having a lot of supporters cheering for us,” he said.
“Look, it's been a fortress, but what's happened in the past counts for little. It's about us making sure we get our prep right and mindset right to play against an Irish side who last time they toured this country, they won a series.”
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While Rennie didn’t necessarily think the All Blacks’ rivalry with Ireland was anything special, he said the three-time world champions had plenty of respect for Farrell’s men.
“We’re well aware of their ability, and they'll come and genuinely believe they can beat us,” he said.
“They're a quality side. They've got a lot of strong connections, a lot of guys who have played an enormous amount of footy together over the last few years, and they're very well coached, so they’ll be well prepared.
“They're very skilful, their forwards have got a really good short passing game. They'll ask lots of questions of us there and at set-piece.
“Defensively, their ability to fill the field… they're a good side. We've got to be patient in an effort to break them down.”
He added that the All Blacks needed to slow Ireland’s ruck speed to take away the threat of halfback Jamison Gibson-Park and his halves partner Sam Prendergast.
“I mean, Leinster have had a massive influence on Irish rugby for a lot of years. I like their combinations, really strong,” he said.
“Jamison is a big part of their success. We need to make life difficult for him so he can't play on the front foot and apply pressure that way. They're both very good.”
Rennie also knows a couple of Ireland’s major threats, having coached Bundee Aki when the veteran centre burst on the scene at the Chiefs more than a decade ago.
Asked whether he was the one that got away, Rennie played a straight bat.
“Oh, I mean, we can reflect on lots of guys who have left and gone on,” he said.
“James Lowe fits in that bracket as well, but Bundee went early. He spent ‘12 and ‘13 with us at the Chiefs and then maybe ‘14 and then left and got a great opportunity, obviously through Pat Lam.
“So I don't think he's got any regrets around his decision. There's a number of players who've done the same thing.”
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