All Blacks reunite with former assistant ahead of South Africa tour

Dave Rennie and the All Blacks have called in former assistant and current Maori All Blacks head coach Tamati Ellison for the upcoming Greatest Rivalry Tour of South Africa.

Ellison, who was announced as Jason Holland’s Blues assistant for the 2027 Super Rugby Pacific season, will re-join the All Blacks camp ahead of the tour, the same environment he left in March 2026.

The 43-year-old former All Blacks assistant began as the skills coach during Scott Robertson’s two-year tenure, before becoming the team’s defence coach during the 2025 season.

Ellison left his role with the team in March, when New Zealand Rugby concluded the process of appointing a new head coach and the group of assistants.

But, ahead of the long and gruelling seven-week tour of South Africa, Rennie has boosted his coaching group with the addition of All Black #1099.

It’s unclear what specific role Ellison will fill, having previously worked as a defence coach, a head coach, and a skills coach in several environments.

Ellison joins senior assistant Neil Barnes, forwards coach Jason Ryan, defence coach Tana Umaga, attack coach Mike Blair, head of performance Phil Healey, skill acquisition coach Euan Mackintosh, selector Sir Graham Henry, and long-time mental skills coach Gilbert Enoka in Rennie’s wider coaching staff.

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The Maori All Blacks head coach also led his side to a 38-31 victory over the Japan XV at the Paloma Mizuho Stadium in Nagoya, Japan last month.

NZR CEO Steve Lancaster made it clear back in March that they valued the contribution of Ellison and the other former assistant coaches to Robertson.

“We acknowledge that this has been an uncertain period for people and that there are some difficult farewells as part of the process,” Lancaster said after Robertson’s departure.

“I want to pay tribute to the service that Scott Hansen, Tamati Ellison and Bryn Evans have given to the black jersey. They have each made important contributions to the team, and I know they have all got a lot more to give as world-class coaches.

“The way they have conducted themselves throughout is testament to the outstanding professionals and good people they all are.”