Rennie reshuffles ahead of RWC27
New Zealand coach Dave Rennie has shaken up his backroom team — a deliberate reshuffle as preparations for Rugby World Cup 2027 in Australia intensify (scmp.com).
On March 24, 2026 Rennie confirmed his coaching group and head of performance as Neil Barnes (senior assistant), Jason Ryan (forwards coach), Fa'alogo Tana Umaga (defence coach), Mike Blair (attack coach) and Phil Healey (head of performance). (allblacks.com (allblacks.com)) Neil Barnes will leave his role as Taranaki head coach to join Rennie as senior assistant and bring specific lineout expertise to the All Blacks setup. (allblacks.com (allblacks.com)) Barnes previously worked with Rennie at the Chiefs and has international coaching experience with Italy, Canada and Fiji that includes involvement across three Rugby World Cup campaigns. (sportnation.nz (sportnation.nz)) Jason “Jase” Ryan is the lone holdover from Scott Robertson’s staff and will retain a clarified forwards brief concentrating on scrum and maul. (rugby365.com (rugby365.com)) Tana Umaga, who won 74 caps for the All Blacks, will take the defence portfolio and is scheduled to join Rennie’s staff at the conclusion of Moana Pasifika’s 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season. (the42.ie (the42.ie); PMN News (pmn.co.nz)) Mike Blair, the former Scotland scrum‑half and Edinburgh head coach who has worked with Rennie at Glasgow and Kobe Steelers, has been named attack coach and will move after completing the Japan League One season, subject to a New Zealand work visa. (the scotsman.com (scotsman.com); allblacks.com (allblacks.com)) Phil Healey has been appointed head of performance after working with Rennie at the Chiefs, Glasgow Warriors and Kobelco Kobe Steelers, a hire Rennie described as a priority. (rugbypass.com (rugbypass.com))
