Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
September 2026
The Namibian
Dave Rennie's All Blacksarepitted against Australia, Chile and Hong Kong in Pool A
Source
“Dave Rennie's All Blacks — bidding for a first title since 2015 after being edged 12-11 in the 2023 final — are pitted against Australia, Chile and debutants Hong Kong in Pool A.”
Dave Renniemadea raft of changes to All Blacks starting line-up for series decider
Source
“New Zealand coach Dave Rennie has made a raft of changes to his starting line-up for the series decider from the All Blacks side beaten 29-24 in Johannesburg last Saturday.”
All Blacks head coach Dave RennieallegedSpringboks were using questionable scrumming tactics
Source
“All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie lit the fuse last weekend after a 33-26 second Test loss in Cape Town, alleging the Springboks were using questionable scrumming tactics.”
Dave Renniehailedimproved performance by New Zealand forwards
Source
“All Blacks coach Rennie hailed an improved performance by his New Zealand forwards, and praised Australian referee Angus Gardner for his policing of the set piece.”
Dave RenniepraisedAustralian referee Angus Gardner for policing the set piece
Source
“All Blacks coach Rennie hailed an improved performance by his New Zealand forwards, and praised Australian referee Angus Gardner for his policing of the set piece.”
“But the All Blacks know all that, (head coach) Dave Rennie knows that," said the 1987 Rugby World Cup-winning hooker capped 92 times before retiring in 1997.”
Dave Renniesaidplaying a four-Test series against South Africa will be a lot tougher than a Rugby World Cup
Source
“New Zealand head coach Dave Rennie said on Monday that playing a four-Test series against South Africa "will be a lot tougher than a Rugby World Cup".”
“Rennie, who replaced Scott Robertson last March, said New Zealand could win the series "if we play at our best and force the Springboks to play below their best".”
Dave RenniereplacedTaylor at half-time as a precautionary measure
Source
“With the first of four Tests against world champions South Africa in Johannesburg next Saturday, New Zealand head coach Dave Rennie replaced Taylor at half-time as a precautionary measure.”
The 2025 Rugby World Cup kicks off October 1 in Australia with a record 24 teams playing over six weeks across seven cities, and more than 750,000 pre-sale tickets have already been sold from 135 countries.
The 2025 Rugby World Cup kicks off October 1 in Australia with a record 24 teams playing over six weeks across seven cities, and more than 750,000 pre-sale tickets have already been sold from 135 countries.
South Africa captain Siya Kolisi says the Springboks are ready to face a much-changed All Blacks side in Baltimore on Saturday, the fourth and final Test of the series. Leading 2-1, the world champions are favoured to wrap up the series victory despite New Zealand coach Dave Rennie making several changes including an entirely new front row.
South Africa defeated New Zealand 29-24 in the third Test in Johannesburg, taking a 2-1 series lead. Star players Cheslin Kolbe (jaw) and Ardie Savea (shoulder) were injured and ruled out of the series finale in Baltimore.
South Africa and New Zealand meet in Johannesburg on Saturday for a 2-1 series lead, following days of verbal sparring over scrumming tactics between the two head coaches and support staff.
South Africa's coach Rassie Erasmus rejected All Blacks coach Dave Rennie's criticism of the Springboks' scrumming techniques following South Africa's 33-26 victory over New Zealand in Cape Town. Erasmus said Rennie's comments about the Springboks "walking around" in scrums were "nonsense," pointing instead to New Zealand's collapsing scrums.
Former All Blacks captain Sean Fitzpatrick told AFP that the current New Zealand team must "get everything right" to win a four-Test series against South Africa that begins Saturday, saying they cannot afford yellow cards or bad scrums. The series, billed as the "Greatest Rivalry," will be played at Ellis Park in Johannesburg, Cape Town, a Johannesburg soccer stadium, and Baltimore over consecutive Saturdays.
New Zealand head coach Dave Rennie said playing a four-Test series against South Africa "will be a lot tougher than a Rugby World Cup", with the Springboks offering greater strength of opposition than World Cup finalists face. Both teams will be about a year away from the 2027 World Cup when the series ends.
South Africa captain Siya Kolisi and prop Ox Nche are doubtful for the first Test against New Zealand on Saturday in Johannesburg, head coach Rassie Erasmus said Monday. Kolisi suffered a hamstring injury in Argentina this month, while Nche has not played since a knee injury in July.
Veteran hooker Codie Taylor marked his debut as New Zealand captain with two tries in a 50-19 victory over the Bulls in Pretoria. The win came ahead of New Zealand's first Test against South Africa next Saturday.
New Zealand head coach Dave Rennie confirmed that former All Black Ma'a Nonu's solo Haka performance after the All Blacks' traditional pre-match ritual during a 54-0 tour victory over the Sharks in Durban was planned. Nonu, a 44-year-old Sharks substitute, consulted with defence coach Tana Umaga about the appropriate way to respond respectfully to the haka.
New Zealand scored eight tries to defeat the Sharks 54-0 on Tuesday in the second match of a South Africa tour. Wing Fehi Fineanganofo scored a try in each half, while the Sharks were depleted by Springbok call-ups and injuries.
New Zealand All Blacks secured a 38-21 win over the Stormers in their South African tour opener at Cape Town Stadium on Friday, scoring four tries in the final stages after the teams were tied at 14-14. The All Blacks will face the Springboks in four Tests after two more matches against local franchises.
South Africa and New Zealand are undertaking an extended rugby tour that begins in Cape Town on Friday and concludes in the United States 12,700 kilometres away. From August 29 to September 12, the two world-ranked teams will play exclusive Tests in Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Baltimore, with the tour branded the 'Greatest Rivalry' and scheduled to occur every four years.
New Zealand head coach Dave Rennie said the All Blacks' first full-scale rugby tour of South Africa in 30 years will have significant benefits, including chances for all squad members to play through midweek games against provincial sides and four Tests against the Springboks, with the tour running from August 22 through to a final match in Baltimore on September 12.
South Africa and France top their respective tables after the southern hemisphere Tests in the inaugural Nations Championship. The Springboks, New Zealand and other southern hemisphere nations will visit the northern hemisphere in November to play three Tests apiece before a grand final at Twickenham on November 27-29.
New Zealand defeated Ireland 40-21 in a Test match on Saturday, extending their unbeaten streak at Eden Park to 53 matches. The All Blacks scored four of their six tries in the first half to lead 28-7 at the interval, securing a third win in the Nations Championship.
All Blacks coach Dave Rennie has confirmed that playmaker Richie Mo'unga will not be selected for the upcoming four-Test series against South Africa, as Mo'unga remains ineligible under national union eligibility rules until October due to his time playing club rugby in Japan.
Will Jordan scored a hat-trick to become New Zealand's record try-scorer as the All Blacks defeated Italy 47-17 in a Nations Championship Test, improving their record to two wins from two under new coach Dave Rennie.
New Zealand's All Blacks held on to edge an under-strength France 34-32 in a nine-try thriller in Christchurch to open the inaugural Nations Championship, with Cam Roigard and Will Jordan scoring twice each in Dave Rennie's first Test as coach.
The Waikato Chiefs and Wellington Hurricanes meet in the Super Rugby final on Saturday, with both teams seeking their first title in over a decade. The top two seeds previously met this season with the Chiefs winning 22-17 in extra time.