Brodie Retallick weighs in on Dave Rennie's All Blacks credentials

Brodie Retallick is loving life in Japan under Kobe head coach Dave Rennie, but just how much longer the former Wallabies coach will be leading the Steelers is a little uncertain.

Rennie’s name is among many being thrown around in discussions about who will replace Scott Robertson as All Blacks head coach, and who could make up a potential new-look assistant coaching unit.

Test centurion Retallick says his Kobe teammates were quick to throw the All Blacks question Rennie’s way after Robertson’s exit was confirmed.

“The boys were straight into him as soon as it was announced, asking if he’s interested. Whether he’s playing it straight bat or not, I’m not too sure. There was nothing to confirm, that’s for sure,” Retallick told Sport Nation‘s Millsy and Guy.

Rennie’s 2026 Kobe squad includes not just former All Black Retallick but also current All Blacks Ardie Savea and Anton Lienert-Brown. And with previous stints coaching at the Hurricanes, Chiefs, Glasgow Warriors, and of course, the Wallabies, Rennie is no stranger to managing the world’s top talent.

Reflecting on his coach’s strengths, Retallick said the 62-year-old had a few different strings to his bow.

“I think there are multiple aspects to Rens. He’s one who engages the community and creates a culture around the team he’s with, finding links to supporters and the city, which is massive for growing your identity.

“But he’s also a man who has coached for a very long time, and he understands how he wants to play a game of rugby, and those smaller details that make a game plan come together.

“And like all good coaches, he’s also a people person. He can be relatable, have a laugh, but also will tell you when you haven’t got it right.

“With someone with that much experience, he’s obviously been around long enough that he knows what he’s doing.”

Retallick benefited from the mentorship of Steve Hansen and Ian Foster’s All Blacks groups, the latter of which would eventually include Joe Schmidt, another now-All Blacks head coach candidate, as attack coach. Retallick had plenty of positive thoughts on Schmidt, and when asked what makes him and Rennie world-class, Retallick found some parallels.

“I think they’re very similar to be fair; Rens and Joe Schmidt will leave no stone unturned. They will cross every T and dot every I before the match comes along, which, sometimes as a player, you’re like, ‘Leave me alone!’ But they’re doing it for the good of your team.

“I guess it would be a weird one if Joe were to head in there after just coaching the Wallabies for the last 18 months, but at the same time, he is another great coach that would do well.”

Both coaches have experienced the trials of the Test arena, something Scott Robertson was yet to endure when stepping into the All Blacks head coaching role in 2024. That lack of Test-level experience was the main point of criticism over Razor’s appointment.

Retallick shared his view of what separates club and international rugby.

“The rate of learning from the players at the international level is a lot quicker. The uptake is a lot quicker; they always understand what the coach is trying to say.

“I always thought Steve Hansen made a great coach because he was a people person, and he would know when to push the right buttons, and know when you needed a bit of support.

“So, at the international level, especially, it’s being able to challenge the group alongside coaching them. It plays a massive part when they need it.”