Rugby: New Chiefs coach looking to go on the attack

Dave Rennie says the culture within a franchise is crucial and everyone, including sponsors, must want to be part of it. Then the rest looks after itself. Photo / Getty Images

One look at the record book showed the Chiefs needed a new chief - so enter Dave Rennie.

The 47-year-old, a former Wellington coach and midfield back, has a two-year contract taking over from Ian Foster at the end of this season.

The Chiefs have had brief flashes of success under Foster since 2004, but in the overall picture they have fallen well short.

Rennie's previous Super experience was in 2002 as the assistant to Hurricanes coach Graham Mourie, when they had a freewheeling side with names such as Cullen, Lomu, Umaga, Collins and So'oialo on the team sheet. Freewheeling led to freefalling and Mourie's reign ended that season.

Since 2006, Rennie - who coached Wellington to the NPC title in 2000 - has re-established a solid reputation in the second tier, guiding the national under-20s to three world titles and fostering attacking spark in the battling Manawatu ITM Cup side, with Aaron Cruden the star protege.

Having been on the wrong side of market realities at Manawatu, Rennie can look forward to attracting and retaining good players at the Chiefs.

The new Chiefs boss takes a few questions from the Herald.

Were you confident of getting the job?
My interview was for two hours in front of a panel of five, a mix of NZRU and Chiefs people. I walked out feeling it had gone pretty well. I put forward what I saw as important for the future of the franchise. I believe the group that comes in needs to be experienced so I guess I was pushing that angle, and I concentrated on my management style. I like to give everyone the opportunity to lead in their respective fields, and the same with the players. You also need a connection with the rugby public.

So you are bringing in your own people?
Ultimately it is best to have people you know, but I'm also doing a fair bit of research into the quality of the people there currently.

Your message to Chiefs fans ...
It's probably a bit early for that because they are still in the current campaign. I think we have 19 players already contracted so there is not an enormous amount of room to move. We'll establish what players we can bring in to complement them, and then have a better idea how we will play. My teams play a certain style of attacking footy, so it won't be too far away from that.

Will Aaron Cruden follow you?
There has been a lot of speculation ... I've had an association with a lot of good young kids, but we are working out what we need to fill the holes. I know Stephen Donald has an out clause in his contract and we're obviously keen to keep him in the Chiefs area.

Did you have a childhood hero?
Bryan Williams - as a little kid I loved watching him play. Great memories, even though I was born and bred in Wellington. When Auckland played at Athletic Park, I'd go to watch him and not so much to watch Wellington.

So you weren't a Grant Batty man?
My heritage played a part I guess - my dad is European, but my mum is full Rarotongan. Maybe Beegee's Pacific Island connection was the attraction - there weren't so many islanders running around in those days.

Favourite memory playing for Wellington?
They blend into one. There was no money around then, but the travel was wonderful - we went to the Islands and Australia as part of the new Super Six series in the 1980s, and to Italy and France. The good people I met stands out more than the rugby occasions.

If you weren't coaching ...
I was a teacher in my younger days and then I owned a pub for 14 years. Coaching is exactly the same as teaching, something I really enjoyed. After 2002, I even went back to my club and coached the colts side for three years so it is a passion of mine. If not coaching, teaching.

Hobbies?
My wife and I love gardening on our lifestyle block, just out of Palmerston North. I get out there with the chainsaw ...

Back to rugby, is there anything you would change in the game?
The contact area is still a mess. I wonder if something as simple as allowing rucking would stop people lying on the wrong side and putting their hands in. I might not be impressing too many mums with that idea.

Do you like the Super conference system?
I do. You like to see New Zealand teams playing each other. A lot of our rugby public are passionate about their provincial colours and might not have the same drive with the franchise teams so that is a challenge to deal with. But look at the big crowd for the Chiefs match against the Crusaders last weekend.

Is the public up to speed with the modern game?
Some coaches have a way of talking about the game that, geez, even the players won't understand. They come up with all sorts of terminologies. Some commentators might struggle with a few law interpretations so the public is influenced by that. But the game is always evolving which is a great thing.

Aren't the Crusaders great - are they the model to follow?
Obviously it is a good breeding ground although from a Canterbury point of view they recruit an enormous amount of good young kids from around the country. When you have a reputation for developing players, getting them into the All Blacks, a lot of good kids will want to join. Not a huge amount of their players are actually from Canterbury. We need to look at all sorts of models at the Chiefs. In the end, the culture within the franchise is crucial. Everyone, including sponsors, must want to be part of it. The rest looks after itself.

Is nailing a Super coaching job a dream come true?
I probably should say yes, but it is not something I planned out. I got involved in coaching because of my passion for rugby and one thing led to another. The stars lined up and this was a franchise I was very keen to be part of.