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Important update on 1476AM'He'll build something special': Sam Cane on what Dave Rennie will bring to the All Blacks
Sport Nation • April 8th, 2026 2:34 pm
Dave Rennie, Sam Cane | Photo: Photosport
Few players would be better qualified to speak on new All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie than former Test skipper Sam Cane.
Cane came into his own under Rennie's tutelage during the Chiefs' golden age, arriving a year before the head coach began his famous tenure, highlighted by back-to-back titles in 2012 and 2013.
With Rennie as his mentor, the livewire openside flanker earned his maiden Test cap, later earning co-captaincy honours in the final two years of the coach's stay in Hamilton.
Reflecting on what made his former coach great, Cane doubled down on a common refrain when it comes to a primary strength - building culture.
"Bringing a team together and understanding who you're playing for and who you are representing," the 104-Test veteran told Tony Johnson on Sport Nation Mornings.
"That might sound a bit basic, because you're playing for the All Blacks and all the boys have had a dream come true and understand who they're representing.
Dave Rennie on All Blacks culture he wants to establish | Sport Nation
"But he'll do a lot of research, I think. He'll have ways of framing up things. He'll be very intelligent and do a lot of work on the history of the All Blacks, the legacy and find ways to draw a little bit extra from that, which I think is super cool.
"A big part about being an All Black is understanding who's gone before us and that you've got a short time there in that jersey. But to appreciate that fully, you have to understand what's gone before. I think he'll do that really well."
In regards to his style of play, Rennie's reputation precedes him.
That hard-nosed, physical approach - particularly at the breakdown - has always been, Cane notes, the foundation of his coaching ethos.
"At the time, the law was if someone's within a metre and a half of a breakdown or close, then you can just smack them. So our trainings would reflect that too.
"We trained pretty hard but the whole idea was, if you can get some more bodies on the ground at the breakdown, then there's less bodies in the defence line, so there's more space to attack.
"A lot of our game was built around being brutal at the breakdown and putting guys on the ground."
Dave Rennie on players needing to earn the All Blacks jersey | Sport Nation
According to Cane, another huge focus for Rennie had always been establishing a long-term vision, laying the foundation for future success through development through the ranks rather than merely paying attention to the there and now.
That proof has been in the Chiefs pudding, and Cane hopes to see the same at the national level.
"(Rennie) was really determined with the pathways and getting all the big pieces of the puzzle right to help ensure long-time success. Ultimately that's what he's been able to achieve with the help of guys that have gone on since.
"The Chiefs have been continually a top team since they took over, whereas, before that, we were a wee bit inconsistent."
"Hopefully Rens has a big say in NZ rugby and helps ensure that our pathways systems are right, all the pieces of the puzzle, so that it helps set your backs up for a lot of long-term success consistently."
The All Blacks play their first Test under their new head coach against France on July 4.
Listen to the full interview:
