In one of his first team meetings with the Warriors, Rennie asked his players to observe a Fijian rugby team's pre-match huddle, where they sang a hymn called Noqu Masu. This was more than just a viewing exercise. Rennie tasked his team, including Ryan Wilson, whom he boldly named as co-captain, to learn and sing the hymn. His rationale was simple yet profound.
"If you’re willing to stand up in front of everyone and belt this out as loud as you can, you won’t be embarrassed to make mistakes on a rugby field."
The years that followed were marked by success and camaraderie, culminating in Glasgow reaching a Pro14 Final and the last-eight in the Champions Cup. Off the field, activities ranged from team quizzes to communal songs over post-match beers, with Rennie often at the center, guitar in hand.
"Renns is one of the best coaches I ever had,"
said Wilson, a former Scotland star with 50 caps.
"But, most importantly, he is a good man, one of the best human beings I’ve known. He loves a jar, as he calls it. That’s probably why I connected with him so well. Don’t get me wrong, if you don’t know your s**t, he’ll tell you. He isn’t afraid to poke a man in the chest when it is needed, but he knows when to put an arm round you."
Rennie’s influence extended beyond tactical genius to fostering a genuine bond with his players. This was evidenced when team captain Callum Gibbons and Wilson made sure to give Rennie a proper send-off before he left Glasgow due to the coronavirus pandemic. They brought beers and Rennie’s favorite oysters to his home, enjoying an afternoon under the scenic Wallace Monument.
Since taking charge of the All Blacks, Rennie's approach has remained effective. His team has notched up impressive wins in all six of their matches under his leadership, including three against South Africa’s top franchises. These victories have been crucial in transforming the team's earlier underwhelming performance.
Wilson reflects on Rennie’s coaching style with admiration, noting his ability to separate on-field performance from off-field interactions, a quality that has endeared him to many.
"What struck me most about Renns is the way he is able to separate the rugby from the off-field stuff. As soon as you got upstairs it was beer in hand. He’d nine times out of 10 have the guitar out, and be the one singing away and connecting the boys that way. With Renns, you could get on with him after a game like a mate down the pub and he wouldn’t even mention rugby, wouldn’t talk about it. He had an amazing ability to park it and then Monday be right back to business."
This blend of serious coaching acumen and a relaxed personal approach has not only brought success to Rennie’s teams but has also earned him the respect and affection of his players, proving that leadership in sports can indeed be as multifaceted as the individuals who play it.
