‘No point playing risk-free footy’: Rennie backs All Blacks’ attacking identity
Dave Rennie has backed the All Blacks to keep developing their expansive game, saying the approach that produced a clinical opening against the Wallabies is one they must be prepared to trust on the biggest stage.
Reflecting on the victory, Rennie praised the speed, decision-making and physical intent of the All Blacks’ opening 43 minutes, before a disrupted second half tested their depth and resolve.
Watch: All Blacks Give Their Verdict on Wallabies Test | Press Conference (Sydney)
Asked whether that attacking ambition could succeed at next year’s Rugby World Cup, his answer was clear.
“There's no point playing this way and then going to a World Cup and trying to play risk-free footy.”
Rennie acknowledged the approach could put his side under pressure, but backed the All Blacks to gain more than they concede by continuing to develop it.
“It's a point of difference. Part of the DNA of both sides I think.”
Watch: MINI MATCH | All Blacks v Australia | Sydney, 2026 (Bledisloe Cup)
Physical foundations create space
The opening spell demonstrated how the All Blacks want that game to function: strong carries, quick support and decisive cleanouts creating possession they could move before Australia’s defence could apply pressure.
Rennie highlighted the quality of the decisions and pass selection that followed, allowing players to attack space.
“When we're able to hang onto the ball, we can play quick.”
Codie Taylor said the enjoyment of playing that way came from the work done around the contact area.
“It's why we love playing rugby, throwing the ball around.”
The forwards recognised opportunities to move possession out the back and bring Damian McKenzie into the attack.
“And he does what Damian does.”
Nullifying Fraser McReight had been an important part of that preparation. Rennie described the Australian loose trio as among the best in the world, making the quality of the carry and the race to support especially important.
“He's often in there digging, but came out with nothing in key moments.”
Watch: HIGHLIGHTS | All Blacks v Australia | Sydney, 2026 (Bledisloe Cup)
Depth stands up to disruption
The All Blacks’ adaptability became increasingly important as injuries forced changes to combinations and responsibilities.
Rennie said the team had trained all week with two midfielders who effectively did not play, leaving Rieko Ioane and “Big Jim” Tavatavanawai to combine.
Ioane’s contribution earned particular praise given his limited preparation at centre.
“He barely trained at centre, he was our main cover,” Rennie said. “Really, really pleased with him.”
Will Jordan’s halftime departure was another unplanned change, with calf tightness prompting a cautious approach and giving Shay Fihaki an extended opportunity.
“His calf was a little tight and we just didn't want to take a risk,” Rennie said.
“It was a great opportunity to give Shay 40 minutes.”
Rennie also confirmed Quinn Tupaea had suffered a concussion and would need to complete the relevant protocols. There was uncertainty around Shannon’s injury, while Samisoni’s calf had tightened.
The reshuffling eventually extended to Peter Lakai spending time in midfield, before the All Blacks finished with 13 players.
Watch: Inside The Black Jersey: Ep 6 | Scott Barrett: Backyard Cricket and the Long Road Back
Lakai continues to impress
Lakai’s versatility was one part of another performance that reinforced Rennie’s admiration for the loose forward.
Asked whether Lakai had come of age over the past two weeks, Rennie pointed to his earlier work in South Africa.
“I thought he was phenomenal in South Africa as well.”
His combination of athleticism, skill and physical impact continued to stand out.
“He runs like a back and he's got a great skill set, but he hits hard and he's got post tackle presence.”
"We ended up having to play Pete Lakai at midfield for a while, and finished the game off with 13.”
Beauden Barrett’s experience was also influential. Rennie praised his communication and decision-making while operating behind McKenzie, and identified his interception try as a significant moment.
Had Australia scored instead, Rennie noted, the margin could have been 29–14 despite the All Blacks’ dominance.
Watch: FULL MATCH | All Blacks v Australia | Auckland, 2026 (Bledisloe Cup)
Higher standards remain the target
Rennie took responsibility for the second-half loss of accuracy rather than questioning the officiating.
“I've got no issues around the refereeing. I thought Luke did it well.”
Turnovers gave Australia opportunities to counterattack, and Rennie said both teams finished with 14 line breaks, with a large share of the Wallabies’ breaks coming after halftime.
Taylor praised Australia’s response and the effort required to keep defending as the All Blacks’ numbers dwindled.
“Just proud of the efforts, boys getting off the deck and just trying to find a way.”
For Rennie, those efforts reflected the depth and competition being built across a squad that has used more than 50 players this year.
Still, the challenge is to sustain their best rugby for longer, after a strong second half the previous week and an excellent opening 40 this time.
“Can we be better? Absolutely.”
There was also room to celebrate what the players had achieved.
“I'm really rapt with our guys. They're good men who have worked really hard and we've got an important trophy back in the cabinet. So we'll celebrate that tonight.”
Watch: MINI MATCH | All Blacks v Australia | Auckland, 2026 (Bledisloe Cup)
Full post-match interview transcript
How good was that first half performance?
Dave: "Yeah, that was excellent. A lot of stuff that we did well last week, we we're able to put 40 minutes of that together...the quality of the carry...winning races and brutality around clean out, and then a lot of the quality of the decision making, the pass selection to put people in space, and when we're able to hang onto the ball, we can play quick. So yeah, I thought we were really clinical, first 43 (minutes)."
The speed of the ball through the hands was impressive...
Dave: "Yeah...I think when you get fast ball, it's harder for them to come harder at you. And then we had the opportunity to pick them off and I thought the decision making was excellent."
You said until 43rd minute. The bench, a few factors in that second half, I suppose. Some curious officiating?
Dave: "No, I've got no issues around the refereeing. I thought Luke did it well. Yeah, look we just weren't as accurate, like we had two or three opportunities and we turned the ball over and the Wallabies are lethal from turnover ball and counter. And I think it was 14 line breaks each today. And a big chunk of theirs coming in the second half. So yeah, it was frustrating...but look, I'm proud of the character and the courage...we trained all week with two midfielders who
basically didn't play today. So Rieks and Big Jim teaming up. Thought they did a really good job. Obviously Shay came on and he ended up getting 40 minutes. So yeah, look, we ended up having to play Pete Lakai at midfield for a while, and finished the game off with 13. So, you know, I thought there was a lot of character and we learnt a lot from controlling those situations. But yeah, disappointed that we weren't as clinical. And you know, I think if we'd scored a couple early we could have really put the foot on the throat."
So can you just talk about Peter Lakai, the last couple of weeks has he sort of come of age as an All Black?
Dave: "Oh, I thought he was phenomenal in South Africa as well. I think he's just an unbelievable athlete, isn't he...He runs like a back and he's got a great skill set, but he hits hard and he's got post tackle presence. So yeah, he's pretty special, Pete, he's had another big say today."
Any of the injuries concerning?
Dave: "Yep. I'm not sure about Shannon (Frizell). Because...it was just him running. And then, Samisoni it's just his calf tightened up. So, yeah, we're not certain in and around those, obviously Quinn got a concussion, and because he was wobbling around from the start he was ruled out immediately. So he's going to have to go through some protocols, so yeah, a few walking wounded."
Any of those injuries down to the playing surface?
Dave: "Yeah. I'm not sure. I'm not sure about that...it sounds like there was some monster trucks on there a week ago, so probably not the ideal preparation."
Given the manner in which you left Australia a couple of years ago, three years ago, four years ago now. How much personal satisfaction do you take coming here and winning the Bledisloe so comfortably?
Dave: "Well, I've already mentioned this. I loved my time here. I got to work with a lot of great people. It's been nice catching up with those guys last week. And again, we'll have a beer with them in the change room tonight. So, yeah...I'm really rapt with our guys. They're good men who have worked really hard and we've got an important trophy back in the cabinet. So we'll celebrate that tonight."
Coach, you've talked all year about how impressed you've been with Beauden Barrett, how impressed were you with him tonight?
Dave: "Yeah, that just highlights how fortunate we are. We've got a couple of tens out and we're playing Damian and able to play Beauden out the back, and he's just, you know, his experience, his communication, the quality of his decision making is just excellent. You know, you saw him under pressure last week and manage to step out of three tackles. Uh, you know, picking off that try was reasonably important. You know if they score there it's 29-14. We'd feel like we've had total dominance in the half, but they were in it. So yeah, it's great having him in the mix."
And Rieko Ioane?
Dave: "Yeah Rieks was very good. Had to do a lot of defending tonight, or today, and yeah again he didn't he barely trained at centre, he was our main cover. But yeah, really, really pleased with him."
Codie what was it like playing in that first half with the speed of the ball and line breaks and support play?
Codie: "Yeah. Uh It's fun. I think it's why, it's why we love playing rugby, throwing the ball around. But I think it was just on the back of, you know, some good dominance at the breakdown and the carry clean and being able to play on top, and playing what was in front of us, you know, we were seeing pictures and the boys, the forwards were pulling the trigger on getting out the back and getting the ball into Damian's hands. And he does what Damian does."
Why weren't you allowed to come straight back on?
Codie: "I had a shocker there. I think I only can come on for a scrum. Not a, not a lineout or just a replacement because we've already made our subs."
Codie, coming off South Africa, how much do you feel a step forward has been taken by the group in the past two weeks?
Codie: "I think this week was a really good challenge for us as a group. You know, we had an honest look at ourselves after that RGR. And, you know, we as All Blacks, you're never satisfied, and we probably walked away with that from that pretty gutted, but also knowing that we were playing a brand of rugby that we could be really proud of and really grow on, and to go play in NZ, get the Bled, and then, a real mental challenge this week around owning the standards that we want to live in this team, and step up, and I thought we did that for the majority of the game today, so really proud of the lads."
Dave, do you expect in 12 months time the Wallabies might have an experienced ten back in the mix? A couple guys in their 30s to help out those young guys?
Dave: "Um, that's probably a question for Les."
Codie, Dave mentioned that you learnt a lot from that second half, obviously it was a bit of a change after ten minutes. What were your own interpretations of how that second half played out? When you know more around the return fire and get some feedback as well?
Codie: "Oh, I think it was the nature of the score, you know. We knew Australia were going to probably try and hold the ball and play a bit more. And they definitely did that. They took opportunities when they saw them and scored some pretty impressive tries. But in saying that, I thought it was really good for us in a way, you know, down to 14 and then down to 13, you know, in test footy, that's a tough place to be. But I felt like as a group, the boys sort of managed as best we could, had to make a lot of tackles in that last 20 minutes. But just proud of the efforts, boys getting off the deck and just trying to find a way. Everybody thought we need to fight."
Was there any thought put into nullifying Fraser McReight, seemed like he was quiet the last couple of weeks?
Dave: "Yeah, look, you know, he's probably best in the world, and as I mentioned the other day, they've got a great loose trio and probably as good as any country in the world. So yeah, we were well aware of Fraser's threat, and he's not the only one. So yeah, that's why the emphasis on the quality of our carry, you know, ability to fight to stay up a little bit longer and win the races. You know, we had to target him and, and I thought the boys were excellent. You know, he's often in there digging, but came out with nothing in key moments."
Dave, you know, just that way that you guys were able to kind of get outside, is that something in that first half you guys identified throughout the week and you wanted to play into? Is that something that the forwards kind of picked up on?
Dave: "Um, well, it's probably an indication of how we've been playing all year. You know...if we can trap a lot of guys in the last 15 metres of the field, and we've got a lot of men who work hard, and if we can sweep big numbers back, we've just got to hold your feet and try and pick them off. So, a lot of really good examples of that tonight."
And David, there was is an interesting passage with the camera work at the tackle with Meredith over the try line. But fundamentally, how do you feel about going back a couple of minutes earlier Does it get to a point where if it goes inside a minute, inside 30 seconds, the TMO can't interject?
Dave: "Yeah. I mean these are probably discussions for a lot of coaches. We're going to be up in London in a couple of weeks, and there's an opportunity for everyone to discuss that, but, you know, if you went back to that and let's say, you know, it was a penalty try, do you take the two minutes off that we've just lost in the game? There's lots of questions to be asked around that. So yeah, I haven't got an answer for you now, but no doubt it'll be discussed in a couple of weeks."
Codie, just from your point of view, were you were you happy with the communication around that?
Codie: "I was off the field at that time, but my understanding was in the act of scoring, you're allowed to play the ball, and obviously that's the way Luke saw it, I think, he sort of overruled it by the looks."
Dave: "So yeah, you can't you can't kick the ball. Um so he's deemed that Cam didn't kick it, that he's just still just trying to defend, to stop him from getting the ball down."
So could I just ask about the the Wallabies set pieces at scrum time?
Codie: "They've got a great lineout. I think they're the best in the world at disrupting opposition ball...we found that in the start of the last game and then lost a couple tonight. I thought we were a lot better in that area though. But you know, again they've also got a great maul, one of the best in the world also. So, they've really taken a step up there and scrum time. You know, we probably thought we could have a crack at times, but I thought they stood up. You know, they've got some good young talent coming through in the front row and stuff, so
they're in a good spot."
Dave, did you always plan to replace Will (Jordan) at half time?
"No, no...His calf was a little tight and we just didn't want to take a risk. He did a little calf during the Crusaders season in a similar situation. So yeah, it was a great opportunity to give Shay (Fihaki) 40 minutes."
World Cups tend to be fairly defensive. What are your expectations next year? Can you play with this expansive style?
"Well yeah, I do believe that. I mean there's no point playing this way and then going to a World Cup and trying to play risk-free footy, so, we're well aware you can put yourself under pressure the way that we're trying to play. But we're also back ourselves that we'll profit more than we'll suffer in those situations. So yeah, look, I don't think you want all the teams in the world playing the same game. So I think if you look at the Wallabies, they're pretty similar to us. I think they'll want to play. And it's a point of difference. Part of the DNA of
both sides I think. So you know if you want to just get into arm wrestles and with a couple of the big sides in the world, you know it'll be a struggle. So we're trying to grow our game and we've got a long way to go. But you know, the brutality around carry clean and tackle hunt is a massive part of everyone's game I guess. And we just want to be able to play at a tempo that will test other sides."
Conditions out there today helped quite a lot?
Dave Rennie: "Well, yeah. Well, I'm not sure about the footing, but yeah, conditions were great."
Afternoon kickoff?
Yeah. Awesome.
How special is it to, you've had so many injuries, injuries and setbacks earlier today during the game, but the players you're throwing out there fronted again, how gratifying and special is that?
Yeah it's awesome. I mean, we said, you know, we predicted when we left South Africa, you know, we'd know a lot more about this group that they'd have a better understanding of the game we're
trying to play, and the skill set and conditioning required. And it's been fantastic. We've, used 50 odd players this year and, you know, creating depth and creating competition for places. And that's the great thing about this group too, we're missing a few influential players, but other guys'll step up. So, yeah, proud of that tonight."
Do you think the team ticked all the boxes that needed to be?
"Well I mean, we've got a cup in the trophy cabinet. So that's important. Can we be
better? Absolutely. I thought we had a big second half last week and I thought we played pretty well in the first half, but it was a bit of an arm wrestle. Today we had
an excellent first 40, Standards-wise, we want to be better and we want to be able
to put the foot on the throat like we did last week, but you know, you're playing quality sides. So look, I think we can be better. But we've scored a lot of tries and we're growing the game that we want to play. So, yeah, a lot of positives I think."
