Dave Rennie gets a new boss with latest New Zealand Rugby appointment

New Zealand Rugby (NZR) have appointed Don Tricker to the newly established role of high-performance director, but they’ll have to wait until November to have his services on a full-time basis.

Tricker has been involved with NZR periodically since 2007’s Rugby World Cup review, and will return from his post in the USA with the San Diego Padres, where he is vice president of player health & performance, to assume the wide-ranging and influential role, which includes operating as new All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie’s boss.

The former national softball player and coach will also be responsible for overseeing player pathways and coach development.

“Don brings a track record of delivering success across elite high-performance environments, and we look forward to the impact he will make. Don is highly respected and has a deep understanding of elite coaching, player development and New Zealand rugby,” said NZR interim CEO Steve Lancaster.

“This role has a singular focus on driving our national teams to consistently win. Don will lead a high-performance system that is aligned from pathways through to our national teams, with a clear focus on driving a performance culture that reflects the unique identity of New Zealand rugby.”

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Tricker’s name was much-discussed earlier in the year as a key member of the All Blacks’ 2025 season review panel, whose findings ultimately led to the parting of ways with Scott Robertson.

NZR say Tricker will transition into his new role while he wraps up his time in the MLB, with time on the ground across New Zealand’s high-performance system and national teams scheduled for the coming season.

“I’m excited to return to New Zealand and to be involved with New Zealand Rugby. In particular, I’m looking forward to working with two fantastic head coaches in Whitney (Hansen) and Dave, our national team programmes and the NZR high performance team,” Tricker said.

“Put simply, my role is about creating a system that develops players that our national teams want to select. To do that, we need to be working in partnership with Provincial Unions and Super Rugby clubs.

“Whilst I remain absolutely committed to the Padres, there are windows throughout the baseball season that will allow me to spend time with NZR staff and teams. This will be a period of discovery and understanding the here and now.”