Rennie to face former Wallabies players in Bledisloe Cup Test
Australia captain Harry Wilson has praised his former coach ahead of their first meeting since Dave Rennie took charge of the All Blacks.
Dave Rennie will coach New Zealand against his former Australian side for the first time in the opening Bledisloe Cup Test at Eden Park on 10 October 2026, with both he and Wallabies captain Harry Wilson expressing respect ahead of the match.
Wilson said he valued his time playing for Rennie, who selected him for his Test debut against New Zealand in Wellington in 2020. The captain said he had learnt much from Rennie and that the coach remained highly regarded among Australia's players.
Rennie said he held no regrets about his Australian tenure and appreciated the people he had worked alongside. He described the current Wallabies as experienced, noting that many players who began in 2020 had since accumulated substantial Test experience together.
Rugby Australia ended Rennie's contract in January 2023. Across 34 Tests during 2020-22, his winning record was 38 per cent. His tenure included Australia's 24-22 win against New Zealand in Brisbane in 2020, still the Wallabies' most recent victory over the All Blacks. Rennie took over the New Zealand job two months after Scott Robertson's departure in January, with a mandate extending through the next Rugby World Cup.
