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All Blacks Head Coach Dave Rennie has confirmed his assistant coaching group and Head of Performance to take the team through to the 2027 Men’s Rugby World Cup:
Dave Rennie – Head Coach
Neil Barnes – Senior Assistant Coach
Jason Ryan – Forwards Coach
Faʻalogo Tana Umaga – Defence Coach
Mike Blair – Attack Coach
Phil Healey – Head of Performance
Rennie said he has recruited a group who each have vast proven experience and are world-class in their specialist fields.
“This is a very experienced and highly skilled coaching team. Each of these men has a track record of getting the best out of the players and teams they coach, and they are each hugely motivated to get stuck in and deliver the same success with the All Blacks.”
Current Taranaki Head Coach, Neil Barnes, will take on the Senior Assistant Coach role and also bring his lineout expertise, while Jason Ryan retains his role as Forwards Coach, with a particular focus on scrum and maul.
All Black #961, Tana Umaga (Sagone, Afega and Leulumoega Tuai (Samoa)), will take on the defence portfolio at the conclusion of Moana Pasifika’s season.
The attack will be led by former Scotland halfback Mike Blair who is currently Attack Coach under Dave Rennie at the Kobelco Kobe Steelers. Blair will complete the current Japan Rugby League One season before moving to New Zealand, subject to the granting of a work visa by the New Zealand Government.
“Neil provides outstanding leadership and strategic support; Jase has proven himself as one of the best forwards coaches in the game; Tana brings immense mana and defensive insight; and Mike will bring his innovative approach and attention to detail to our attack. I know this group will challenge and support both me and our players to bring the best out of us all,” Rennie said.
“This has been a thorough appointment process that included conversations with each of the former All Blacks Assistant Coaches. I want to acknowledge those men, who have all contributed so positively and professionally to this process and to the legacy of the All Blacks. They are each excellent coaches in their own right, who I know will go on to achieve further success in their careers.”
New Zealand Rugby Interim CEO, Steve Lancaster, also paid tribute to the outgoing coaches.
“We acknowledge that this has been an uncertain period for people and that there are some difficult farewells as part of the process. I want to pay tribute to the service that Scott Hansen, Tamati Ellison and Bryn Evans have given to the black jersey. They have each made important contributions to the team and I know they have all got a lot more to give as world-class coaches. The way they have conducted themselves throughout is testament to the outstanding professionals and good people they all are.
“I also congratulate our new group of coaches, who bring a formidable combination of experience and mana. We are confident they will complement Dave’s leadership and we cannot wait to see them go to work with the 2026 All Blacks group.”
Māori All Blacks Head Coach appointed
Tamati Ellison (Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Whakaue, Ngāi Tahu and Ngāti Raukawa) has been appointed Māori All Blacks Head Coach for the Lipovitan D Challenge Cup in June this year, where they will face a Japan XV at Paloma Mizuho Stadium in Nagoya.
“As a former New Zealand Māori Co-Captain, Tamati is well-versed in the pride and legacy of this team and is the perfect person for the role. We are pleased to be retaining such a quality coach within our Teams in Black,” Lancaster said.
Ellison (All Black #1099) said he was excited about the opportunity to take on a Head Coaching role for a team he loves.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to lead my people. This team means everything to our whānau, and I’ll give it my all. I’d also like to congratulate the new All Blacks coaching group and look forward to working with and supporting them in my new role.”
All Blacks Head of Performance appointed
Highly-respected strength and conditioning coach, Phil Healey, has been appointed to the role of All Blacks Head of Performance. Healey will lead the Health and Performance team within All Blacks management, as a key part of Rennie’s leadership group.
“Phil is one of the best in the business. We’ve worked closely together for a number of years now at the Chiefs, Glasgow Warriors and currently at the Kobelco Kobe Steelers,” Rennie said.
“We are aligned in what we expect from our athletes, and I have massive confidence in Phil’s ability to drive that in the gym and on the grass. Bringing him into the All Blacks management group was a priority for me.”
New Zealand Rugby Interim CEO Steve Lancaster welcomed this key appointment in the All Blacks group.
“We are thrilled Phil will be returning home to take on the All Blacks Head of Performance role. With all of his previous experience in New Zealand and off-shore, and his extensive experience working with Dave Rennie, we know he will hit the ground running and be a valuable addition to the All Blacks environment.”
Healey will complete his season with the Kobelco Kobe Steelers before returning to New Zealand to take on what he describes as the pinnacle role in his field.
“As a Kiwi working in high performance sport, there is no greater honour than joining the All Blacks. I look forward to contributing to an environment that constantly strives for excellence by supporting the players and management to perform at their best,” Healey said.
Rennie said the appointment of the coaching group and Head of Performance meant the work for the season was well and truly underway.
“The coaching group is now fully into its planning and Phil is already working alongside Nic Gill and Super Rugby teams to set up for the season ahead. We will be connecting on a regular basis with each other and the wider All Blacks management team, as well as visiting Super Rugby clubs to meet with players over the coming months.”
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