Chiefs coach shares his passion

The most talked about rugby coach in New Zealand, Chiefs head coach Dave Rennie, might be back home on Rarotonga for a well earned rest, but he’s still talking rugby as he shares his experiences and offers advice to local rugby players.

As the Super 15 takes a midseason break – the Chiefs are at the top of the table, four points ahead of the Stormers from South Africa.

The next weeks of international fixtures for the mighty All Blacks have meant Rennie has been able to come home and spend time with his Titikaveka family including being with his mother Ngametua who turned 80 two weeks ago.

Rennie says he enjoys coming home and giving back to the local rugby body and players in whatever way he can, but his current schedule with the Chiefs is pretty ‘chocker’.

Rennie was given a guided tour of the BCI Stadium and the Telecom Sports Arena in Nikao along with a run down on plans for the Cook Islands Rugby Union high performance unit to be set up shortly at the TSA.

CIRU president Chris McKinley and chief executive officer Ben Koteka shared the union’s vision to lift the standard of rugby across the board in the Cook Islands – on and off the field.

Rennie says he was impressed with the sporting facilities at Nikao, however he added that it takes more than facilities to produce great rugby players.

”It’s a little bit more than just flash facilities that make great rugby players, but both Chris and Ben have some great ideas,“ said Rennie.

He also met with the Cook Islands under 20 training squad and delivered some wise and inspiring words for the boys and management.

He talked about getting a bunch of guys willing to do the hard yards together.

”Be willing to get behind each other and spill some blood for your mates.“

He also gave good insight into what the Chiefs are all about and was full of praise for Chiefs star Sonny Bill Williams whom he says is the most professional player in the team and a great team man.

Today, Rennie will meet with national coaches to help them plan their year with their players.

On comments that many believe he will be the coach that takes the All Blacks to the next World Cup – Rennie says with a smile that it is something he has thought about in the long term.

”But it’s not something I’m thinking about now – my mind is on the Chiefs.“

Rennie was named coach of the year last year and many are seeing him hold on to that award again this year.

McKinley says that CIRU are very grateful to have Rennie on the island to share some of his skills and experiences with the local rugby body.