March 4, 2026 • 9 mins
The new All Blacks coach has been unveiled to the nation.
Dave Rennie will begin coaching during the Nations Championship matches in July and will be with the side till the end of the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
Gary Dawson is a former CEO of the Chiefs, and he joined D'Arcy to discuss the news.
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Dancy Wildergrave
from News Talk zed Be.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
And the story of the day. Without a doubt, Dave
Rennie has managed to Pippitt the post. I don't know
it was that close quite Frankly, Jamie Joseph for the
job as the all but black coach. With the short
runway leading up to the World Cup in Australia. You'll
hear that term a lot in coming months, but we've
got to have faith in him. Around about mid day
(00:33):
came out Dave Renie's got the job. He'll begin coaching
during Nations Championship matches in July and then we'll be
with the side to the end of the twenty twenty
seven Rugby World Cup. Now they start fannying around with
potentials to cover him if he loses. Before that happens,
get in the sea the lot of you, let him
have some space. We'll join now by Gary Dawson, form
(00:56):
CEO of the Chiefs. He was at the franchise when
Dave anyone back to back Super Rugby titles back here
in twenty twelve twenty thirteen. He joins us now to
discuss the good news. Gary, Welcome, to the show I speak.
You're very happy for mister Readie.
Speaker 3 (01:11):
Thanks, Darcy. Yeah, I'm really thrilled for him. You know,
he's he's a great coach and I think he's exactly
the person that the All Blacks need to be leading them.
Speaker 2 (01:22):
Why do you say that. What does he bring?
Speaker 3 (01:24):
Well, first of all, he's a he's an outstanding leader,
and I think that was shown, you know, the time
he was with the Chiefs. But you know, his his
ability to communicate with the players and relate to them,
his understanding of the game, and just the culture that
he built very quickly in the Chiefs. You know, those
(01:46):
are all things that you know, I remember him for.
And you know, I think that the very the success
of the Chiefs had under Dave. You know, he just
exhibited all those those great characteristics.
Speaker 2 (01:59):
I like the fact that he's been out of an
ecosystem directly of New Zealand rugby for a number of years.
Surely that as a positive because he comes with no
preconceived ideas about the players or the way New Zealand
rugby has been rolling recently, because he's just simply hasn't
been there.
Speaker 4 (02:17):
Yeah, I guess that's right.
Speaker 3 (02:18):
I mean I was just sort of watching from the
sidelines and what he did with the Australian team, the Wallabies,
and you know, I think it's pretty impressive, you know,
what he did in terms of where they're at and
where he took them, and you know, I couldn't believe
that they didn't reappoint him as the coach. So, you know,
(02:40):
I think what he did with the Wallabies and it
was just outstanding and I think he'll bring that same
mindset to the All Blacks.
Speaker 2 (02:48):
He made an interesting comment today in the press contference.
He said, look, New Zealander isn't the be all and
end all of rugby. The rest of the world's catching up,
they've passes, they're doing new things and we've got to
look to that. If we don't, we're destined to fail,
which is brutally honest but accurate.
Speaker 4 (03:06):
Right absolutely, And that's what you know.
Speaker 3 (03:10):
A number of commentators, you know, Wayne Smith for example,
has been saying that. I think Warren Gatlan said the
same thing, that the rest of the world are catching
up and in some areas have mostly gone ahead of us.
But I think the good thing about Dave is that,
you know, having spent time in Australia and up in Japan.
Speaker 4 (03:28):
He's got a very.
Speaker 3 (03:28):
Good understanding of rugby on that sort of global scale,
and he will bring afresh and new thinking to the
to the All Blacks.
Speaker 2 (03:39):
Former CEO of the Chiefs Gary Dawson joining us. He
is the first all black coach of PACIFICA Blood. This
is hugely important, I think, not only for the All
Blacks and the players, but everyone concerned because for a
long time the All Blacks have had fifty percent plus
PACIFICA players but not the boss man. Do you think
(04:01):
that's important.
Speaker 3 (04:03):
Or oh, look at it's it's it's a factor perhaps, But.
Speaker 4 (04:09):
I think you know what Dave brings.
Speaker 3 (04:11):
You know, he's a he's a great guy, and he's
got a really good understanding of you know, people no
matter what their ethnic cultural background is. So that's really
you know, one of his great strengths is that, you know,
he can bring a team of people from different backgrounds together,
you know.
Speaker 4 (04:31):
Focus them and get them all on the same mission
if you like.
Speaker 3 (04:34):
So I think that obviously his his background and where
he's come through his rugby coaching journey in his playing days.
You know, he just brings that that understanding and that
that strength that can bring you know, this group of
people together, which.
Speaker 4 (04:53):
Is which is I think what the All Blacks need.
Speaker 2 (04:55):
Eland heavily on marticulture and really got the team together
through that in those healthy in days. So I'm kind
of looking toward that and saying he will get that
similar buying. And when I asked him that today, he said, Look,
all players are important, not just Pacifica, which is what
you've said. But you can't help but think this is
(05:16):
a key part of what it is. He can touch
base with a lot of what things mean to these players.
Speaker 3 (05:22):
Yeah, I mean, he that's exactly right. And I think
what he can do is communicate directly to the players
and understand each player, what motivates them.
Speaker 4 (05:34):
And how to how to communicate with them.
Speaker 3 (05:35):
And I think, you know, he's remembered too that he's
a X schoolteacher, and I think that that background, you know,
gives him some real skills in terms of understanding people
and the best way for them to learn and the
best way for him to communicate and get the best
out of them.
Speaker 4 (05:55):
So, you know, you take that plus his you.
Speaker 3 (05:59):
Know, coaching experiences, the success he's had with one or
two with the Chiefs and with us Alia and lately
in Japan, and he brings a real depth of knowledge
and experience to the orb mix.
Speaker 2 (06:13):
The ability though to pivot, to develop, to change, to build.
Have you seen that in his career. You don't turn
up as a finished product, You don't even get to
be the finished product and tell you your retired. But
his capability to understand trends, where the game is going
and to develop on the fly, is that right up there?
Speaker 4 (06:32):
It is?
Speaker 3 (06:33):
And but I think that you know, the one thing
that I really admired about Dave and when he was
with the Chiefs is that he wasn't afraid to surround
himself with people who had more knowledge perhaps than he did,
more experience, So you know, his ego didn't get in
the way, and he was you know really you know,
(06:55):
worked very closely with Wayne Smith, brought him into the environment.
So you know, he's comfortable enough in himself and he's
got the self confidence and the lack of ego to
surround himself with the very best people. And I think
that's going to be something that you know, I think
will be a real benefit to the Chiefs, sorry to
(07:16):
the orban Acs.
Speaker 4 (07:17):
Certainly was for the chiefs short runway.
Speaker 2 (07:19):
That's we'll hear that phrase quite a lot and the
next six months he's got the ability to deal with
the fact that lead up to the World Cup is
relatively short. Is that going to be problematic for him
and his men?
Speaker 4 (07:31):
I think it's going to be a real challenge.
Speaker 3 (07:33):
I think that, But I think he's up to it,
even though he's been offshore. I think you you know,
will very quickly come up to speed with where things
are at with the players. I think obviously New Zealand
Rugby should have a good database there of the different
players and where they're at, you know, in terms of
their skills and their physicality and so on. So I
(07:54):
think you've come up to speak pretty quickly. I don't
think any of us should underestimate the challenge that that
him and his coaching team have got, you know, leading
up to the to the World Cup and in protecting
They've got this massive tour of South Africa coming up,
which you know, I think is just one of the
biggest challenges that the allbacks have had to face. But
(08:15):
he's the right person for the job and he will
he will lead a team and do a great job,
no doubt.
Speaker 4 (08:20):
About it.
Speaker 2 (08:21):
What a way to start a South Africa extraordinary. But
he'll more than fight fire with fire, he'll bring his
own flame thrower. If I know Dave Rennie, he's not
a guy who stakes so backwards step now is he.
He's very fourth right with what he wants to do,
what he says, and how he goes about his business.
And I think we need a strong man in charge
(08:43):
of the all Blacks.
Speaker 4 (08:45):
You're right.
Speaker 3 (08:46):
And I think what he does too though, is bring
a certain calmness, so no matter how tough things get,
you know, there's no overreaction. He's just, you know, very
cool under fire if you like. And and I think
that's certainly an attribute that is going to be needed,
particularly you know, with that South African tour.
Speaker 2 (09:05):
Gary, thanks so much for joining us. It's a great appointment.
Everyone's very happy and buoyed by this. So onward and output,
and as always, thanks for making self available here on
news talks EB.
Speaker 4 (09:16):
My problem, Thank you, my pleasure.
Speaker 1 (09:18):
For more from sports Talk, listen live to News Talk
ZB from seven pm weekdays, or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.
You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Dancy Wildergrave
from News Talk zed Be.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
And the story of the day. Without a doubt, Dave
Rennie has managed to Pippitt the post. I don't know
it was that close quite Frankly, Jamie Joseph for the
job as the all but black coach. With the short
runway leading up to the World Cup in Australia. You'll
hear that term a lot in coming months, but we've
got to have faith in him. Around about mid day
(00:33):
came out Dave Renie's got the job. He'll begin coaching
during Nations Championship matches in July and then we'll be
with the side to the end of the twenty twenty
seven Rugby World Cup. Now they start fannying around with
potentials to cover him if he loses. Before that happens,
get in the sea the lot of you, let him
have some space. We'll join now by Gary Dawson, form
(00:56):
CEO of the Chiefs. He was at the franchise when
Dave anyone back to back Super Rugby titles back here
in twenty twelve twenty thirteen. He joins us now to
discuss the good news. Gary, Welcome, to the show I speak.
You're very happy for mister Readie.
Speaker 3 (01:11):
Thanks, Darcy. Yeah, I'm really thrilled for him. You know,
he's he's a great coach and I think he's exactly
the person that the All Blacks need to be leading them.
Speaker 2 (01:22):
Why do you say that. What does he bring?
Speaker 3 (01:24):
Well, first of all, he's a he's an outstanding leader,
and I think that was shown, you know, the time
he was with the Chiefs. But you know, his his
ability to communicate with the players and relate to them,
his understanding of the game, and just the culture that
he built very quickly in the Chiefs. You know, those
(01:46):
are all things that you know, I remember him for.
And you know, I think that the very the success
of the Chiefs had under Dave. You know, he just
exhibited all those those great characteristics.
Speaker 2 (01:59):
I like the fact that he's been out of an
ecosystem directly of New Zealand rugby for a number of years.
Surely that as a positive because he comes with no
preconceived ideas about the players or the way New Zealand
rugby has been rolling recently, because he's just simply hasn't
been there.
Speaker 4 (02:17):
Yeah, I guess that's right.
Speaker 3 (02:18):
I mean I was just sort of watching from the
sidelines and what he did with the Australian team, the Wallabies,
and you know, I think it's pretty impressive, you know,
what he did in terms of where they're at and
where he took them, and you know, I couldn't believe
that they didn't reappoint him as the coach. So, you know,
(02:40):
I think what he did with the Wallabies and it
was just outstanding and I think he'll bring that same
mindset to the All Blacks.
Speaker 2 (02:48):
He made an interesting comment today in the press contference.
He said, look, New Zealander isn't the be all and
end all of rugby. The rest of the world's catching up,
they've passes, they're doing new things and we've got to
look to that. If we don't, we're destined to fail,
which is brutally honest but accurate.
Speaker 4 (03:06):
Right absolutely, And that's what you know.
Speaker 3 (03:10):
A number of commentators, you know, Wayne Smith for example,
has been saying that. I think Warren Gatlan said the
same thing, that the rest of the world are catching
up and in some areas have mostly gone ahead of us.
But I think the good thing about Dave is that,
you know, having spent time in Australia and up in Japan.
Speaker 4 (03:28):
He's got a very.
Speaker 3 (03:28):
Good understanding of rugby on that sort of global scale,
and he will bring afresh and new thinking to the
to the All Blacks.
Speaker 2 (03:39):
Former CEO of the Chiefs Gary Dawson joining us. He
is the first all black coach of PACIFICA Blood. This
is hugely important, I think, not only for the All
Blacks and the players, but everyone concerned because for a
long time the All Blacks have had fifty percent plus
PACIFICA players but not the boss man. Do you think
(04:01):
that's important.
Speaker 3 (04:03):
Or oh, look at it's it's it's a factor perhaps, But.
Speaker 4 (04:09):
I think you know what Dave brings.
Speaker 3 (04:11):
You know, he's a he's a great guy, and he's
got a really good understanding of you know, people no
matter what their ethnic cultural background is. So that's really
you know, one of his great strengths is that, you know,
he can bring a team of people from different backgrounds together,
you know.
Speaker 4 (04:31):
Focus them and get them all on the same mission
if you like.
Speaker 3 (04:34):
So I think that obviously his his background and where
he's come through his rugby coaching journey in his playing days.
You know, he just brings that that understanding and that
that strength that can bring you know, this group of
people together, which.
Speaker 4 (04:53):
Is which is I think what the All Blacks need.
Speaker 2 (04:55):
Eland heavily on marticulture and really got the team together
through that in those healthy in days. So I'm kind
of looking toward that and saying he will get that
similar buying. And when I asked him that today, he said, Look,
all players are important, not just Pacifica, which is what
you've said. But you can't help but think this is
(05:16):
a key part of what it is. He can touch
base with a lot of what things mean to these players.
Speaker 3 (05:22):
Yeah, I mean, he that's exactly right. And I think
what he can do is communicate directly to the players
and understand each player, what motivates them.
Speaker 4 (05:34):
And how to how to communicate with them.
Speaker 3 (05:35):
And I think, you know, he's remembered too that he's
a X schoolteacher, and I think that that background, you know,
gives him some real skills in terms of understanding people
and the best way for them to learn and the
best way for him to communicate and get the best
out of them.
Speaker 4 (05:55):
So, you know, you take that plus his you.
Speaker 3 (05:59):
Know, coaching experiences, the success he's had with one or
two with the Chiefs and with us Alia and lately
in Japan, and he brings a real depth of knowledge
and experience to the orb mix.
Speaker 2 (06:13):
The ability though to pivot, to develop, to change, to build.
Have you seen that in his career. You don't turn
up as a finished product, You don't even get to
be the finished product and tell you your retired. But
his capability to understand trends, where the game is going
and to develop on the fly, is that right up there?
Speaker 4 (06:32):
It is?
Speaker 3 (06:33):
And but I think that you know, the one thing
that I really admired about Dave and when he was
with the Chiefs is that he wasn't afraid to surround
himself with people who had more knowledge perhaps than he did,
more experience, So you know, his ego didn't get in
the way, and he was you know really you know,
(06:55):
worked very closely with Wayne Smith, brought him into the environment.
So you know, he's comfortable enough in himself and he's
got the self confidence and the lack of ego to
surround himself with the very best people. And I think
that's going to be something that you know, I think
will be a real benefit to the Chiefs, sorry to
(07:16):
the orban Acs.
Speaker 4 (07:17):
Certainly was for the chiefs short runway.
Speaker 2 (07:19):
That's we'll hear that phrase quite a lot and the
next six months he's got the ability to deal with
the fact that lead up to the World Cup is
relatively short. Is that going to be problematic for him
and his men?
Speaker 4 (07:31):
I think it's going to be a real challenge.
Speaker 3 (07:33):
I think that, But I think he's up to it,
even though he's been offshore. I think you you know,
will very quickly come up to speed with where things
are at with the players. I think obviously New Zealand
Rugby should have a good database there of the different
players and where they're at, you know, in terms of
their skills and their physicality and so on. So I
(07:54):
think you've come up to speak pretty quickly. I don't
think any of us should underestimate the challenge that that
him and his coaching team have got, you know, leading
up to the to the World Cup and in protecting
They've got this massive tour of South Africa coming up,
which you know, I think is just one of the
biggest challenges that the allbacks have had to face. But
(08:15):
he's the right person for the job and he will
he will lead a team and do a great job,
no doubt.
Speaker 4 (08:20):
About it.
Speaker 2 (08:21):
What a way to start a South Africa extraordinary. But
he'll more than fight fire with fire, he'll bring his
own flame thrower. If I know Dave Rennie, he's not
a guy who stakes so backwards step now is he.
He's very fourth right with what he wants to do,
what he says, and how he goes about his business.
And I think we need a strong man in charge
(08:43):
of the all Blacks.
Speaker 4 (08:45):
You're right.
Speaker 3 (08:46):
And I think what he does too though, is bring
a certain calmness, so no matter how tough things get,
you know, there's no overreaction. He's just, you know, very
cool under fire if you like. And and I think
that's certainly an attribute that is going to be needed,
particularly you know, with that South African tour.
Speaker 2 (09:05):
Gary, thanks so much for joining us. It's a great appointment.
Everyone's very happy and buoyed by this. So onward and output,
and as always, thanks for making self available here on
news talks EB.
Speaker 4 (09:16):
My problem, Thank you, my pleasure.
Speaker 1 (09:18):
For more from sports Talk, listen live to News Talk
ZB from seven pm weekdays, or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.
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