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Nations Championship

Codie Taylor on Dave Rennie: 'He doesn't take mediocrity lightly'

Henry Lee

Published: 57 minutes ago | 28 June 2026 14:26 PDT
Updated: 56 minutes ago | 28 June 2026 14:27 PDT

WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND - JUNE 22: L to R, Selector Sir Graham Henry, coach Dave Rennie and senior assistant coach Neil Barnes speak to media during the New Zealand All Blacks Squad Announcement at Feilding Yellows Rugby Club on June 22, 2026 in Feilding, New Zealand. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)

Veteran All Blacks hooker Codie Taylor has provided insight into what the playing group has learned in the opening week of Dave Rennie’s tenure.

The All Blacks playing group and new management met in Auckland on Wednesday last week, with only ten days to prepare for the first Test of 2026, against France in Christchurch.

One New Zealand Stadium will play host to not only Rennie’s first Test in charge of the All Blacks, but the first of the new Nations Championship tournament between the Southern and Northern Hemispheres.

The All Blacks head coach, who returned to New Zealand after leading the Kobelco Kobe Steelers to a Japan Rugby League One title, announced on Sunday that Will Jordan, Tupou Vaa’i, and Wallace Sititi are all available for selection.

“Both are tracking really well and so, at this stage, available,” the head coach responded to whether Jordan and Vaa’i were available,” Rennie told Christchurch-based media on Sunday.

“He’s [Wallace Sititi] come through that really well, so are confident that he will be available as well.”

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Ahead of Saturday’s clash against the 2026 Six Nations champions, France, Taylor said the group have been coming to terms with how Rennie operates.

“He definitely owns the room when he speaks,” Taylor said ahead of the first Test.

“But in a way that it is not daunting, just in a way that you respect and you know the words he says is what he wants out there on the field.

“So, yeah, it’s been really cool to see him and how he works.”

When asked what, specifically, the head coach has asked of his players, the All Black centurion explained that much of it centred on the effort areas of the game.

“I think just what he wants from us as players, in terms of work ethic,” Taylor added.

“Making sure we are working hard off the ball, and then just always looking for opportunities. He is big on always being ready for something, whether it is with, or without, the ball.

“He doesn’t take mediocrity lightly. But it’s been good.”

“A lot of it is about a simple structure from an attacking point of view, getting a really good connection defensively and we just want the guys to get out there and be really clear and play,” Rennie said.

“So what we know is that we will have a dry ball, and that’s exciting.”

Despite France missing a number of players on their trip to the South Island in New Zealand, Rennie is under no illusions about the quality of France’s depth.

“People will talk about the fact that Toulouse are playing this weekend, so they will be missing them,” Rennie said.

“But there will be 11 players from Bordeaux, who are the European champions. France have 28 professional sides.

“They have a greatest depth in world rugby, so have always got a lot of quality players to pick from. Fabian Gathie is smart, so they will have a plan around what things look like. They will be a good side.”