Dave Rennie turns down Kiwi Super Rugby side leaving them scrambling

Former Wallabies coach Dave Rennie has reportedly turned down a potential return to New Zealand as he mulls his next career decision after being abruptly let go by Rugby Australia late last year.

Newshub reports that the Blues approached Rennie with a lucrative deal to takeover in 2024 from Leon Macdonald, who is expected to join Scott Robertson’s coaching staff with the All Blacks.

The two-time Super Rugby champion coach is weighing up a move to Japan instead to link with former Chiefs mentor Wayne Smith.

Smith, who was an assistant under Rennie at the Chiefs, is the Director of Rugby at Kobelco Kobe Steelers in Japan Rugby League One.

The Steelers have attracted big names out of New Zealand since Smith arrived, landing All Blacks Dan Carter, Ben Smith, Brodie Retallick, and Aaron Cruden in recent years.

Retallick is heading back to the club following the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France, and Rennie could join as the club’s head coach.

The Blues are resigned to losing Macdonald according to the report and are scrambling to find a quality replacement which led them to approach Rennie.

Robertson’s new All Black coaching staff will potentially drain New Zealand’s Super Rugby teams of coaches with Hurricanes head coach Jason Holland also believed to be in the mix along with Macdonald.