After weeks of deliberation, the new All Blacks head coach has been named.

Dave Rennie is succeeding Scott Robertson in the role, beating out the other top contender, Jamie Joseph.

Rennie's first test at the helm will be in the July series against France, Italy, and Ireland, but his assistants have still yet to be named.

NZ Rugby Chair David Kirk told Mike Hosking that the panel spent hours discussing the merits of the two candidates, and were very rigorous and analytical in discussing their strengths and relative weaknesses. 

He says they concluded quite firmly and certainly unanimously that Rennie was the person they wanted to appoint.  

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