Rennie admits All Blacks lineout lacks experience to replace Retallick and Whitelock

Dave Rennie has openly conceded that his All Blacks squad is still navigating growing pains at the set-piece, with the lineout and scrum both tested heavily during the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Tour against South Africa.

Speaking to media in Washington, DC, Rennie drew a direct line between his current locks’ inexperience and the retirement of two of New Zealand rugby’s most decorated forwards. Sam Whitelock and Brodie Retallick have not worn the black jersey since the 2023 Rugby World Cup final in France, and Rennie made clear just how large a void that leaves.

“There’s no Brodie Retallick or Sam Whitelock out there who can say, ‘oh s**t, they’re defending a little bit differently; let’s go to this or that,’” Rennie said. “We’ve got to develop those guys quickly.”

Rassie Erasmus’ Springboks have been ferocious and clinical at set-piece throughout the series, capitalising on All Blacks indiscretions to drive their maul and win territory. Rennie acknowledged the numbers tell their own story, noting his side had 18 lineouts in one match compared to South Africa’s nine — a direct consequence of the All Blacks’ strategy to kick less and avoid handing the Springboks maul opportunities.

“The set-piece has to be better, and we can’t hide from it,” Rennie said. “We’ve been together ten weeks, and there are lots of little things like the lineout which we think will get better in time.”

Despite the series already beyond New Zealand’s reach — they cannot win it outright — Rennie insisted the focus in Washington remains on a quality performance to close out the tour. The All Blacks can still level the series at 2-2.

“My concern’s not an exhibition for the USA,” Rennie said. “This is more around us putting in a quality performance to finish off what’s been an awesome tour for us, learning-wise and culturally and our rugby stuff. A chance to tie up a series two all — it would have been nice to have left South African soil leading 2-1, but that’s not an option for us now.”

Rennie also noted that a 26-hour travel day to Washington would test his squad physically, but expressed confidence that the experience gained across the seven-week tour would pay dividends for his younger players in the long run.