Source: Radio New Zealand
Tana Umaga was left ‘a little bit speechless’ after the announcement. Brett Phibbs / www.photosport.nz
Dave Rennie has assembled his crew to rebuild the All Blacks empire.
Neil Barnes, Tana Umaga and Mike Blair have been named alongside incumbent Jason Ryan as Rennie’s coaching team.
After a period marked by inconsistency and growing pressure, the team now turns the page on Scott Robertson’s tenure, with a new era on the horizon.
‘Proud is an understatement’
An elated Umaga said his promotion was a bit of a pinch me moment.
“A little bit speechless. Proud is an understatement really. To be back part of a team that holds a special place for me and my family, it’s unbelievable really.”
Few are as passionate about the black jersey as Umaga, who played 74 tests, and was first Pasifika captain of the All Blacks where he had an 86 percent win rate.
He knows full well the pressures that come with the jersey, having become public enemy number one in the United Kingdom during the 2005 Lions tour.
“Being a part of the All Blacks is a big job. You can’t get away from it. I’ve been fortunate enough to actually captain this side, and that was a big job. I had to understand what comes with, the sacrifices that not just yourself, but your family have to make. So I go in there with eyes wide open and understanding those pressures. I’ve felt that pressure before and understand what I’m getting myself into, and I’m looking forward to the challenge.”
Despite a turbulent 2026, Umaga has overseen a transformative period for Moana Pasifika.
He admits it will be tough to walk away from the franchise at the conclusion of the current Super Rugby season.
“I won’t lie. It wasn’t something that I expected when I thought about my goals for this year. Spanner is probably a too strong a word, but just something that I wasn’t expecting, but it’s an opportunity that I don’t think anyone would pass up. I’ve invested a lot of my time and I have great belief about what we’re trying to do here and the movement behind Moana Pasifika, and I still do and I will always have a place in my heart with this club and this movement.”
The 52-year-old said he will not look to change his philosophy in the All Blacks environment.
“I can’t be anyone else but Tana Umaga because that’s who I am. I can only be who I am. It’s up to me to make sure that they can see the person behind those titles. I’ve got to make sure that they understand that I did that, but now I’ve got to make sure that I’m the best defensive coach I can be for this team.”
Umaga has learnt plenty of lessons during his 18-year coaching career – among them, a reputation that precedes you is not always a positive.
“I spent a lot of time just trying to be myself and not be what everyone made up me to be as the All Black captain, because that’s all anyone would call me and knew me as. In my coaching roles, as you do, you say your doors open, but I didn’t have many players coming through in my early career and I wondered why. It was Sonny Bill Williams that told me that ‘everyone’s scared of you, Tana’. So that’s up to me to make that first step around breaking down those barriers and that’s probably the biggest thing I can do to try and move us forward as quickly as we can.”
Umaga said he was a fan first and foremost.
“I just want what’s best for the All Blacks since I was a kid and when I was in there, now I’m going in there on a different role as a coach. I still want the same thing.”
Serving as Rennie’s right hand, head assistant coach Neil Barnes.
Another with a straight-shooting style, Barnes’ coaching career began in the amateur era in 1993.
He is embracing the challenge that awaits him.
“It’s taken a bit of grasping, I’m not frightened of it. I’ve had so many years in rugby, do inside of me, there’s that inner confidence that I’ve done the work.”
Neil Barnes will act as Rennie’s second in command. Kerry Marshall / www.photosport.nz
‘I don’t sugar-coat things’
A throwback to the more gruff rugby days, Barnes will bring a direct approach.
“I don’t profess to be a hard arse. At the end of the day, I’m honest. I don’t sugar-coat things. I think the players respect that they’re going to get feedback that is honest and accurate.”
Barnes believes that quality teams are built from the ground up.
“You can’t build a house without a strong foundation under it, all the stuff you guys see in the house, all the windows and the glossy stuff is a waste of time when a strong wind comes along if you haven’t got the thing pinned down to the foundations. The game is just the same. There’s simple basics from that you need to adhere to which will make you strong.”
While there was plenty of conjecture around who had what roles within the Scott Robertson regime, barnes said there will be no such issue under Rennie.
“There’s no cloudiness about roles here. Rens has told us the areas that we’re responsible for, but at the same time, he would expect myself or others to be able to challenge inside our environment to do what’s best for the players, the team, and our country.”
Barnes was aware of the scrutiny that comers with the gig, but was embracing it.
“Wins and losses happen in sport. We’re going to lose the odd one too. I’m sorry, but we will. The good thing about this country is people will let us know because they’re passionate about it and that’s good. That shows they care. I’d be more worried if the place was silent.”
Having spent time with Canada, Fiji, Taranaki and the Chiefs, Barnes has a well rounded resume.
But it’s one standout characteristic that no doubt attracted Rennie.
“I don’t think it would matter whether I was playing snakes and ladders or an international game. I’ve got the same s*** about me that I want to win. I am a competitive person and I expect every player in our team to have the same level of competitiveness that we’re there to get results.”
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
