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"You don't want 'yes people'": New ABs assistant prepared to challenge Rennie's rule

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Wed, 25 Mar 2026, 8:15am
Photo / Photosport
Photo / Photosport

"You don't want 'yes people'": New ABs assistant prepared to challenge Rennie's rule

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Wed, 25 Mar 2026, 8:15am

Neil Barnes insists he'll be prepared to challenge his new boss Dave Rennie when and where he sees fit. 

The Taranaki mentor has been appointed Rennie's senior assistant at the All Blacks. 

Barnes told Mike Hosking there needs to be a bit of tension as to how they’re doing things, and while everyone has lanes they’re responsible for, you need to be challenging each other in order to get better. 

“You don’t want yes people in there.”  

“You want people who are going to come up with new ideas, challenge the norm for the betterment of the whole team.” 

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