'No chance': Dave Rennie on Mike Blair's potential Scotland coaching future

All Blacks head coach has heaped praise on his assistant coach and former Scotland halfback Mike Blair, ahead of their clash at Murrayfield in Edinburgh this weekend.

The two coaches have spent several years together, starting their coaching partnership at the Glasgow Warriors, before in Japan at the Kobelco Kobe Steelers, and now the All Blacks.

Blair has helped the All Blacks attack gain significant momentum in 2026, putting on a clinic with ball in hand against the Wallabies in the Bledisloe Cup, following disappointing results in Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry against South Africa.

The 84-Test former Scotland halfback admitted earlier this week at the side’s Edinburgh training base that this Test week felt slightly different for him personally, having spent most of his career playing in Scotland.

Rennie, who addressed the media at the All Blacks’ Edinburgh hotel after team naming, shut down the possibility of Blair ever becoming Scotland’s head coach.

“No, no chance,” Rennie joked.

“I mean, he’s a top man, Mike. There’s a reason I brought him to New Zealand. I’ve worked a lot with him, a couple of years here at Glasgow before he went to the national team for the World Cup, and then three years in Kobe.

“Oh, look, he’s got a great understanding, his ability to micro–skill things from a decision–making perspective, and and really innovative around how he delivers that, whether it’s at a meeting or on the grass.

“He’s been excellent. Made a really big impression with the boys as well, and you’re seeing evidence of that on the park. So, yeah, luckily he’s been great. Very happy to have him in our camp.”

Before the All Blacks’ first Test under Rennie, in July against France in Christchurch, the new coaching staff had eight days to prepare with their players.

Now, four months later, Rennie and the All Blacks coaching staff have used over 50 players and spent considerable time together on tour, something that Rennie believes has helped them become accustomed to a new playing style.

“I think because of how we train, there’s a lot of intensity, but it’s a real short gaps in between going to the next bracket, and so the recovery time shorter,” Rennie said at his team-naming press conference.

“I think like last year, the average ball and play time was like about 37 seconds, and ours are now 45–plus, and so doesn’t seem like much difference, but when you add 50 odd of those on top of each other, the ball and plays a lot higher.

“Even the length of plays, I think [last year] averaged maybe one over 100 seconds, and there were six in the Wallabies matches. So there’s a lot more physical demands and how we want to play, how we want to train.

“I definitely think we’re in much better condition. We’re able to put a lot of time into our skill set and just an understanding of our game. I think we still have a lot more in us, but we’ve made good strides recently.”