Rieko Ioane's journey within the All Blacks has seen a significant turnaround under Rennie's leadership. Initially overlooked, Ioane made a convincing return to the squad during the final game against Ireland and continued onto the South Africa tour. His resurgence is a testament to the positive changes within the team. Ioane shared his thoughts on his comeback.
"Look, after the last two years, probably not so much. I was a bit 50/50 on whether I would be, just based on all events that happened. But then I started to get that confidence back once I was playing in Ireland with the Leinster crew. With my footy over there, I felt like I was at least good enough to be back in this environment one day."
Ioane's performance in Pretoria against the Bulls underscored his renewed vigor, a sentiment Hansen reiterated on the Rugby Unity podcast. The former coach noted the broader shift in team morale following the coaching change. "He's been away on a sabbatical up to the Northern Hemisphere and had a good break," Hansen remarked. "He came back, didn't get selected, and that always helps you shift a mindset, but first and foremost, there has also been a coaching change, and I think they all look happier. Let’s be honest."
Hansen also offered a word of caution regarding the balance Rennie will need to maintain to keep the All Blacks engaged and performing at their peak. While praising the improved unity and clarity in the team's play, he highlighted the importance of balancing fun with serious preparation.
"They seem to be more united, and not saying that they weren’t under Razor, but you can only comment on what you see and they look happy, look clear on how they want to play and that stuff is really important when it comes to setting players’ mindsets because if they’re having fun and they’re getting stimulated in equal amounts then you’ll get a performance. If you have too much fun, you get loose. If you get too much stimulation, it becomes a chore, and when the coach is walking down the hallway, you’re diving out the window to make sure you don’t see him because he’s going to give you another lecture on how to play the game. It’s really important to get that balance right so people can actually enjoy their rugby because that’s why we play it."
As the All Blacks gear up to face the formidable Springboks, the insights from Hansen and the evident uplift in the squad under Rennie's leadership suggest an intriguing clash is on the horizon. This matchup not only promises great rugby but also a look into the effectiveness of Rennie's approach as the All Blacks strive to maintain their winning streak and team cohesion.
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