New Zealand’s All Blacks coach Dave Rennie expressed a mix of frustration and optimism following the team’s recent tour of South Africa, where they lost the series 3-1 to the Springboks. Speaking ahead of the Rugby World Cup, Rennie acknowledged missed opportunities in critical moments but emphasized the value of lessons learned from the tightly contested matches.
Reflecting on the series, Rennie highlighted the team’s strong start in the opening test and their competitiveness throughout, noting that New Zealand led 17-12 at one point but struggled to maintain control in key phases of the games. He pointed to tactical factors and the contrasting playing styles between the two sides as influential, describing South Africa’s strategy of slowing the game and leveraging aerial ball and set pieces, compared to the All Blacks’ preference for a fast, high-tempo style.
“We’ve got to be better in those key moments,” Rennie said, underscoring the importance of game sense and tactical awareness. He observed that when New Zealand maintains continuity and accuracy, they can wear down opponents, but errors near critical set pieces allowed South Africa opportunities to advance swiftly. “We definitely had opportunities, but we just got to be better,” he added.
Rennie also noted the tour’s broader purpose in player development, with 49 players involved, giving the team valuable experience and depth building ahead of the World Cup. The players had been together for roughly nine to 10 weeks, and he remains confident about the team’s potential as they continue to refine their approach and cohesion.
Despite the series defeat, Rennie emphasized the narrow margin between the teams and the importance of maintaining focus on performance rather than officiating decisions. He described the Springboks as a very experienced group with a clear identity, while the All Blacks are still evolving their style and team DNA.
Looking ahead, Rennie’s attention turns to the upcoming Bledisloe Cup fixtures against Australia, with matches scheduled at Eden Park on October 10 and in Sydney the following week. These games offer further opportunities to test and develop the squad as they build toward the next Rugby World Cup cycle.