Rennie’s verdict on resurgent Wallabies as 40-year hoodoo looms large
Dave Rennie had three cracks at it and couldn’t bring the Bledisloe Cup back to Australia.
The vastly experienced coach found out first-hand just how hard it is to beat the All Blacks at Eden Park - or anywhere really - as his Wallabies came up short in 2020-22.
Michael Hooper of the Wallabies and coach Dave Rennie celebrate. Getty
Rennie knocked off the All Blacks just once in that stint - a 24-22 Brisbane win in 2020 - after the Kiwis had safely locked the massive trophy away for another year.
Now in charge of his native New Zealand, singing the national anthem will come more naturally as the lop-sided rivalry resumes in Auckland on October 10.
But there won’t be room for even a shred of complacency after watching the Wallabies survive four late yellow cards to topple the world champion Springboks in a 42-38 madcap thriller in Perth on Sunday.
“It’s exciting,” Rennie said of the first chance to coach against his former team.
“I had a lot to do with a number of the guys that are going to be playing in the opposition, good men. We’ll put that aside for 80 minutes on the weekend.
“But I guess I’ve got a little bit of insight into them. It’s a strong side, a lot of experience now and a lot of belief in what they’re doing. It’s been a great start for Les (Kiss) and his group, and I’m sure they’ll come to Auckland with a lot of confidence.”
Rennie was infamously sacked as Wallabies coach after the 2022 season and replaced by Eddie Jones for an ill-fated 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Rennie has bit his tongue about the unceremonious manner of his removal and after biding his time in Japan, was a popular choice to replace Scott Robertson with the All Blacks.
After New Zealand lost their series 3-1 to the Springboks, Australia’s upset at Optus Stadium - albeit against a largely second-string team - will stave off any chance of complacency.
“I thought they were excellent,” Rennie said.
“They were pretty emphatic in the first 65 minutes (leading 42-17) and it’s pretty hard to defend when you’re down to 11 in the end.
“It’s a very experienced Wallabies side now. There’s a lot of those guys who have played, seven years-plus of international rugby and a big chunk of guys who have played 50, 60, 70 Tests for Australia. I thought they were excellent.
“I’m not surprised, and I think it’s a good message for our boys to understand the quality of the Australian side and what we’re going to face at Eden Park.”
The Wallabies haven’t beaten the All Blacks at Eden Park since the Alan Jones days of 1986, the year when a 22-year-old Rennie helped Wellington win the NPC as a crafty inside centre.
Nine.com.au asked Rennie whether the Wallabies players truly believed that they could break the hoodoo at New Zealand’s rugby fortress.
“I never felt there was a lack of mindset or determination,” he said.
“In those sorts of games you’ve got to be at your best, and you’ve got to win key moments. A lot of games over the last six or seven years, there’s been a couple of blowouts, but a lot of them have been tight and have come down to key moments.”
Richie Mo’unga is set to run the cutter from No.10 after Ruben Love was ruled out with a niggly ankle injury.
The Wallabies will likely have selection issues in midfield, with Hunter Paisami fronting the judiciary on Tuesday night and Len Ikitau trying to overcome a recurrence of his own ankle problem.
“We’d expect it to be a tough battle in Auckland,” Rennie said.
“They’re a pretty well-oiled side now. There’s a lot of guys that have played a lot of footy together. Really strong combinations and then they’ve got some genuine X-factor. A pack that works hard, and if they can get you down in the 22, they’re very patient, and they can play underneath you.
“They’re going to ask a lot of questions, but they can also play real high tempo, and you look at their outside backs - they’re all electric. They were really strong.
“The Africans forced a few errors early but didn’t punish them enough from that and I thought the Wallabies were really clinical. They put the Springboks out of the game, and it might have been interesting in the final score if they hadn’t gone down to 11.”
There is no chance of Rennie getting cute and pulling a Rassie Erasmus with his selection next week.
Rassie Erasmus shakes hands with Dave Rennie. AP Photo/Themba Hadebe
“The Bledisloe Cup matches are important to us,” Rennie said.
“They’ll be very important to the Wallabies as well so we’ll pay them the respect they deserve in regard to picking the best squad possible.”
Kiss will name his squad on Wednesday.
All Blacks squad for Bledisloe Cup
Forwards: Codie Taylor (c), Asafo Aumua, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Ethan de Groot, George Bower, Xavier Numia, Tyrel Lomax, Fletcher Newell, Pasilio Tosi, Scott Barrett, Josh Lord, Fabian Holland, Tupou Vaa’i, Simon Parker, Shannon Frizell, Anton Segner, Ethan Blackadder, Peter Lakai, Wallace Sititi
Backs: Cam Roigard, Cortez Ratima, Kyle Preston, Richie Mo’unga, Josh Jacomb, Jordie Barrett, Quinn Tupaea, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Rieko Ioane, Fehi Fineanganofo, Josh Moorby, Will Jordan, Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie
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