'I'm not going to play mind games': Rennie sidesteps 'pressure' question

Dave Rennie has refused to play the “who’s under more pressure” game ahead of the first Test in the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series, ducking what he referred to as “mind games” while labelling the coming tour a coach’s ultimate challenge.

The new All Blacks head coach revealed his team for game one in Johannesburg on Thursday afternoon, and painted a dramatic picture of what it will take for his men to emerge victorious from the series.

The Kiwis enter the opening match as underdogs, with South Africa owning five wins in the teams’ last six encounters, including a nail-biting win in the 2023 Rugby World Cup final.

But Rennie wouldn’t entertain any suggestion that the Springboks were under the more pressure of the two teams, or were wearing more expectations due to the most recent results.

“I’m not going to try and heap that on them and play mind games,” he told reporters. “But I’m sure they’re excited to play at home in front of a sold-out crowd; we’re excited to play there as well. It’s one of the toughest challenges in rugby. So, we’ll embrace that.”

Asked to expand on his “one of the toughest challenges in rugby” call, Rennie said that as a coach, winning a Test series in South Africa is the ultimate.

“I would say, absolutely. Because it’s such a big challenge. But we’re loving it. We’re working hard. We’re connecting really well, and we’ve got a lot of great people, players and staff. It’s important that we enjoy the week.”

Fixture

Internationals

South Africa

08:10

22 Aug 26

New Zealand

All Stats and Data

Rennie said his men will have to “empty the tank” if they want to push the world champions, a sentiment especially relevant to game one, which will be played at 1,753 metres above sea level, where the altitude will make the match all the more exhausting.

The coach was measured when addressing the importance of winning the series opener, noting it will “help” while keeping in mind the real deciders will be games three and four.

“I guess whoever doesn’t win the first Test will say it doesn’t matter, because you’ve still got three to go,” he said. “Look, I’m sure both sides want to start well. We see it as being a really tough tour, so drawing first blood would help.

“There’ll be times where it’s an arm-wrestle. But you have to dig in. We want to play when it’s on to play. We’ll need to bar up for a large chunk of it. It’s Test footy, and we know the Springboks will ask a lot of us.”

The coach expects there’ll be some rotation to his matchday squad over the next four weeks, and with 44 players to choose from, there is plenty of talent vying for minutes. Beyond the matchday 23 selection, Rennie says there has been huge value in touring with such a large squad.

“It’s been brilliant. We’re well aware of how tough a tour it is, but to get 44 players here, to really immerse them in the culture we’re trying to develop, and the game model. We’re confident we’ll leave here in a much stronger place 12 months out from a World Cup.

“It’s been great, even playing these provincial games; everyone gets to play, so everyone feels a part of it, and there’s been some outstanding performances, hence the reason this side’s been difficult to pick. We’re loving it.”