Dave Rennie's All Blacks Reign Begins With a Perfect July

The All Blacks have a new man at the helm, and so far it is going exactly to plan. New Zealand Rugby confirmed on 3 March 2026 that Dave Rennie would take charge of the All Blacks through to the 2027 Rugby World Cup, and three tests into July his side has won the lot.

Rennie's appointment carried a piece of history with it. As All Blacks reported, Rennie is of Cook Islands descent through his mother (Titikaveka, Rarotonga), making him the first All Blacks head coach with Pasifika heritage. That same announcement noted he would honour his commitments with the Kobelco Kobe Steelers in Japan before returning home to prepare the July series.

The opener was a proper contest. RNZ reported that the All Blacks held off a fast-finishing France 34-32 at One NZ Stadium in Christchurch on 4 July, giving Rennie a win in his first test in charge. It was tight to the final whistle, exactly the sort of nerve-jangler that tells you plenty about a new group.

Week two was more comfortable, and one for the record books. RNZ reported the All Blacks overran Italy 47-17 in Wellington on 11 July, a night when Will Jordan became the All Blacks' all-time leading tryscorer. A slow start gave way to a second-half surge, and Rennie's side moved to two from two.

Then came the marquee scalp. 1News reported that the All Blacks beat Ireland 40-21 at a sold-out Eden Park on 18 July to complete a clean July sweep. Three tests, three wins, against three quality opponents, all on home soil.

What should have New Zealand fans most excited is that the coach is not satisfied yet. Speaking after the Ireland win, Rennie told 1News that his side has "a lot more in us" and that the team can be a lot better. For a group only three weeks into a new era, that is a promising thing to hear.

There is still a long road to 2027, but the early signs are hard to argue with. A history-making coach, a record-breaking winger and a spotless July. The Rennie All Blacks are up and running.