Perfect for Warriors

Zealand rugby and the rest of the world is the quality of the big men who have footwork and the ability to move the ball out of the hands and keep the ball alive.

“The thing is to try to develop the game so that we have more threats on the park.”

When asked about his new club, Rennie was overwhelmingly positive, not least about the four assistant coaches, Jason O’halloran, an old friend from back home, and John Humphreys, Kenny Murray and Mike Blair whom he referenced as “good men” on every available occasion.

On the playing side, he namechecked the usual suspects, Stuart Hogg, who he fancied would have started the first Lions’ Test had he been fit, Finn Russell, Jonny Gray and the breakaway Ryan Wilson as much for his leadership as for his play, which was the only clue Rennie was offering on a potential club captain except to say that he liked having two rather than one given the size of the modern squad.

Although he has visited the city three times before showing up to work Monday last, Rennie is obviously running hard to get up to speed with what is inevitably a completely new environment.

“The biggest thing is the lack of time I’ve had to be in front of the boys,” said the Kiwi. “Ideally, I would have been here three months ago. But we have some outstanding men in our coaching group.”

One more, he wasn’t ever going to say, since the boss clocked on. 1, Rennie in Glasgow yesterday 2, Warriors’ new coach meets his coaching team, from left, Jonathan Humphreys, Kenny Murray, Jason O’ Halloran and Mike Blair 3, Rennie signs autographs during a victory parade after winning the Super Rugby final for Chiefs in 2012 4, Gregor Townsend, who forged a friendship with Rennie during his spell with the Chiefs five years ago 5, Warriors’ Stuart Hogg.