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Josh Kronfeld offers 'something growing' verdict on Dave Rennie's All Blacks after 'confusing to watch' predecessors

· Colin Newboult · 2026-08-16T08:25:00+00:00 · nguồn gốc

Josh Kronfeld claims All Blacks have been ‘confusing to watch for a few years’ but offers different verdict on Dave Rennie’s side New All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie and former boss Scott Robertson. All Blacks legend Josh Kronfeld believes that there is “something growing” with Dave Rennie at the helm as they prepare for their huge showdown with the Springboks. The 62-year-old came in as New Zealand head coach earlier this year and took charge of his first game in July where they defeated France 34-32. Rennie’s side then followed that up with comfortable victories over Italy and Ireland to signal a positive first three games under the new All Blacks boss. The next few Tests will ultimately determine how much progress they have made since the sacking of Scott Robertson, but Kronfeld is positive. ‘New Zealand public getting excited’ “I think for a few years now that’s been a bit confusing for all of us to watch, but I feel like there’s been a hint of we’re seeing something growing and the New Zealand public is kind of getting excited about it,” he told the DSPN podcast with Martin Devlin. “There’s a vibe there and there’s something growing. If that comes out and shows itself in fullness, I think we’ll enjoy this tour. “It’s tough going over there, it’s hard leaving everyone behind and going over there, so I just hope they can rise to the occasion.” The All Blacks’ ‘point of difference’ under Dave Rennie: ‘We’re better than even the French’ The All Blacks began their South African tour with an unconvincing 38-21 triumph over the Stormers before showing an improvement in overcoming the Sharks 54-0 and the Bulls 50-19. However, Kronfeld is ultimately unsure what awaits New Zealand over the next few weeks. Entering into the ‘unknown’ “It’s just such an unknown. Just the fact of going to South Africa after such a duration, the fact that it’s the first of 30 years of doing a tour like this; all of those things paint a picture of what’s going to happen,” he added. “Even being one of those guys who have been there and done that, I don’t know. All I do know is if we turn up with a thought process and a plan, and an understanding we’re all buying in together, it will go well. “That’s all I’m hoping for. I just want to see them enjoy the experience and turn up with the genuine, traditional All Blacks outlook on how they want to apply themselves on the field. “I think if we do that, some of our stars and up and coming stars will shine, and when they shine it breathes togetherness and excitement and energy, and we’ll see something special. That’s what I’m hoping for. “Going well for me is that they have a concept of how they want to play rugby and they all buy into it, it’s as simple as that.” READ MORE: All Blacks legend: Springboks ‘danger factor’ Tony Brown the tourists’ ‘biggest issue’