The All Blacks coach said he does not view Saturday’s Bledisloe Cup meeting with Australia as a chance to get back at his former team. The series opener will be played in Auckland.
Wallabies coach Les Kiss has kept Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii on the wing to use his aerial ability. Len Ikitau has recovered from an ankle injury and will start at No. 12 in place of the suspended Hunter Paisami. Isaac Henry will play outside centre. New Zealand will be without injured flyhalf Richie Mo’unga. Beauden Barrett has been named at fullback, with Damian McKenzie at No. 10. Australia has recalled Massimo De Lutiis and Nick Champion de Crespigny to the bench, replacing Taniela Tupou and Tom Hooper, who have returned to their clubs.
Rennie coached Australia from 2020 to 2022 and was the last Wallabies coach to beat New Zealand, in 2020. He led the side in 34 Tests. Rugby Australia dismissed him at the end of 2022 to make way for Eddie Jones. Rennie later coached in Japan and took over the All Blacks earlier this year. Asked on Thursday how he felt about his sacking and whether it motivated him against Australia, Rennie said he had no regrets and did not want to make the match personal. “It’s not about me,” he said, adding that he valued the people he had worked with and was enjoying his current team.
Rennie called Australia a dangerous opponent at Eden Park. Many players in the current Wallabies squad, he said, had begun representing the country in 2020 and had since played 50, 60 or 70 Tests. He praised their experience and time playing together. Australia arrives after a successful run and put in a strong performance against South Africa in its last match. The six-game unbeaten streak under Kiss, including the win over the Springboks, has strengthened the Wallabies’ confidence. Rennie said that made them more dangerous. He also said New Zealand needed to respond after three consecutive defeats to South Africa.
Rennie will become the first person to coach both Australia and New Zealand. The opener launches a Bledisloe Cup series with an unusual backstory because of his move between the teams. Australia has not won the trophy since 2002 and has not beaten New Zealand at Eden Park in 40 years. Rennie acknowledged the pressure around the Cup and the stadium record. He said visiting teams come to Auckland hoping to make history and end the home side’s winning streak.