New Zealand coach Dave Rennie calls for faster play before Springboks series

New Zealand head coach Dave Rennie has urged referees to speed up play as the All Blacks prepare to face the Springboks in four Tests in the Greatest Rivalry series.

Rennie raised concerns about the amount of time taken to set up line-outs before New Zealand’s tour match against the Sharks, making clear that the All Blacks want officials to take a stricter approach to delays.

New Zealand are aiming to play at a high tempo under Rennie, and the coach believes reducing stoppages will help his side put greater pressure on their opponents. He praised England referee Matt Carley for enforcing what he regarded as a quicker pace during the All Blacks’ victory over the Sharks.

“We know if we can be accurate and disciplined, the ball’s going to be in play a lot, and we’ll be able to apply pressure,” Rennie told reporters after New Zealand’s win over the Sharks.

“But every time you turn it over and give away a penalty, you give the opposition a chance to slow the game down.

“So I was pleased that Matt Carley put a bit of pressure on them to set their line-out quicker rather than taking a minute. So that was good.”

Rennie said Carley had also shown a willingness to allow play to continue when players were suffering what he considered minor injuries. That included Damian McKenzie, the New Zealand fullback, who went down with an ankle problem during the match.

“There’s a couple of times where guys are down with pretty minor injuries that he forced the game to play on, including Damian’s. So we’re really supportive of that.”

The All Blacks coach believes his team’s own discipline will be central to maintaining the speed of their game. New Zealand must avoid conceding penalties, he said, because each infringement gives the opposition an opportunity to slow the contest.

With the Test series against the Springboks drawing closer, Rennie’s comments are likely to add another layer to the build-up between the two traditional rivals. New Zealand are expected to continue pressing the case for quicker restarts and more active officiating.

The focus on refereeing also forms part of the wider tactical and psychological contest surrounding the Greatest Rivalry series. Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has a reputation for engaging in such battles, and the article suggests he will not be unsettled by Rennie’s attempt to influence the debate.

There is a question, however, over whether the All Blacks’ preference for a faster game should affect how Test rugby is officiated. Rennie’s argument is that accurate and disciplined teams should be rewarded with more time in possession, while penalties and prolonged stoppages can allow opponents to disrupt their rhythm.

The four-Test series between the Springboks and All Blacks will provide the clearest test of whether the approach becomes a significant factor. For now, New Zealand have made their position clear: they want line-outs formed more quickly, injuries assessed without unnecessary delays and the ball kept in play whenever possible.