Stephen Donald says All Blacks depth under Dave Rennie strongest in years as squad selection looms

Key facts

• Dave Rennie, 62, was appointed All Blacks head coach on March 4, 2026, replacing Scott Robertson who was sacked after two underwhelming campaigns.
• Scott Robertson left the head coaching role on January 15, 2026.
• The wider coaching group of Neil Barnes, Jason Ryan, Mike Blair, and Tana Umaga was announced over a month ago.
• Stephen Donald, former All Black and current Sky Sport commentator, spoke on The Aftermatch with Kirst & Beav.
• The All Blacks' first squad of the new era will be named next month for Tests against France, Italy and Ireland.
• The Nations Championship kicks off in two months’ time.
• Donald highlighted the back five of the scrum as an area of exceptional depth, with five or six locks and multiple loose forwards in contention.

New era begins with renewed optimism

Dave Rennie has inherited an All Blacks squad that former World Cup-winning first-five Stephen Donald describes as the strongest in years, as the new head coach prepares to name his first Test squad next month. The 62-year-old took over on March 4, 2026, after Scott Robertson was sacked following two underwhelming campaigns, and has already assembled a coaching group including Neil Barnes, Jason Ryan, Mike Blair, and Tana Umaga. Donald, speaking on The Aftermatch with Kirst & Beav, said the depth across the squad gives Rennie a wealth of options. “I don’t think we’ve been in this strong a position for a long, long time,” he said. “We’ve got our All Blacks coach settled, we know exactly who’s going to be helping him and I think we generally know what sort of attitude and mindset the All Blacks are going to play with, and I think it’s going to be a higher pace and higher speed level.” The first squad of the Rennie era will be announced next month for Tests against France, Italy and Ireland, with the Nations Championship kicking off in two months. Donald believes the competition for places is heating up as Super Rugby Pacific enters its decisive phase.

Rennie’s style: speed and tempo over copycat tactics

Donald offered insight into the game plan Rennie may employ, contrasting it with Robertson’s approach. He referred to comments made by former head coach Sir Steve Hansen on the DSPN Podcast, who argued against simply copying South Africa’s tactics. “I think we’re going to have our own style again and not just be copycatting,” Donald said. “I saw some quotes from the great Sir Steve Hansen during the week, and he was talking about how South Africa is out there at the moment, but it doesn’t mean you have to copycat everything. And he was referring to things like the bench splits and the hybrid players.” Donald suggested that under Robertson, the All Blacks “probably went away from what our boys are so gifted and talented with.” “I just think Dave Rennie, if he brings something back to this All Blacks team, it’ll be speed and it’ll be tempo, as far as style of play,” Donald said. He cited the Hurricanes and Chiefs as models of fast-paced rugby, combined with the “street-wise smarts” of the Crusaders’ forward pack and contributions from the Blues and Highlanders.

Back-five depth: locks and loose forwards abound

Donald first focused on the back five of the scrum, where he believes Rennie will face a difficult selection task due to the number of in-form players. “You look at the locks which in the past has been, ‘what happens when Brodie [Retallick] and Sam [Whitelock] go?’ You’ve got locks absolutely falling off the trees at the moment, probably five or six you would be more than happy with if they started,” he said. He also highlighted the loose forward stocks: “There are a lot of young loose forwards emerging, the Hurricanes have about four or five who will be in contention. You see Ardie Savea is coming back. You’ve still got Luke Jacobson, Wallace Sititi, Samipeni Finau, the Crusaders boys and [Ethan] Blackadder, so you’ve got plenty there.” The return of Ardie Savea adds further experience to a deep pool of back-row talent.

Playmaking options expand with Ruben Love’s emergence

At first-five, Donald noted that the emergence of Ruben Love has added a fourth genuine option to the established trio of Richie Mo’unga, Beauden Barrett and Damian McKenzie. “The emergence of Ruben Love has added a fourth genuine name to the big three that we have in Richie, Beaudy and Damian,” he said. This depth in the No.10 jersey gives Rennie flexibility in selection and game management. Donald’s comment underscores the breadth of talent available across the squad, with multiple players capable of steering the attack. The competition for places is expected to be intense as the mid-year internationals approach.

Selection dilemmas and the road ahead

With the first squad naming imminent, Rennie and his coaching staff face the challenge of whittling down a long list of contenders. “The All Blacks contender list is long,” Donald said, adding that “there are not many holes, there really isn’t.” The mid-year Tests against France, Italy and Ireland will serve as an early gauge of the team’s progress under the new regime. Donald expressed confidence that the All Blacks are in a strong position to improve after Robertson’s two-year tenure. The new coaching group has had over a month to implement their systems, and the Super Rugby Pacific season is providing a live audition for players. The Nations Championship, starting in two months, will be the first major test of Rennie’s ability to mould a cohesive, high-tempo side.

A return to New Zealand’s traditional strengths

Donald’s analysis suggests that Rennie’s appointment marks a deliberate shift back to the All Blacks’ traditional strengths: pace, skill, and tempo. By blending the attacking flair of the Hurricanes and Chiefs with the tactical nous of the Crusaders, Rennie aims to forge a side that plays “a fairly good 15,” as Donald put it. The former All Black’s remarks align with Hansen’s critique of mimicking South Africa’s approach, reinforcing the idea that New Zealand’s rugby identity lies in speed and creativity. If Rennie can harness the depth Donald describes, the All Blacks may quickly re-establish themselves as a force in Test rugby.

The bottom line

• Dave Rennie has been All Blacks head coach since March 4, 2026, after Scott Robertson was sacked.
• Stephen Donald believes the squad depth is the strongest in years, particularly in the back five and at first-five.
• Ruben Love has emerged as a fourth playmaking option alongside Mo'unga, Barrett and McKenzie.
• Rennie is expected to implement a high-tempo, speed-based style, moving away from copying South Africa's tactics.
• The first squad will be named next month for Tests against France, Italy and Ireland.
• The Nations Championship begins in two months, marking the first major competition under Rennie.