WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Former Wallabies coach Dave Rennie was appointed as the All Blacks head coach Wednesday on a contract through the 2027 Rugby World Cup, succeeding Scott Robertson, who was abruptly fired in January.
New Zealand Rugby chairman David Kirk said the 62-year-old New Zealander “is a world-class coach" with a strong track record.
“Dave understands what it means to coach the All Blacks and play a style of rugby that reflects who we are as New Zealanders," Kirk said. "He has a deep understanding of rugby in New Zealand and the role the All Blacks play in shaping our national identity and bringing communities together.”
Rennie coached Australia for three years before being removed in early 2023 and replaced by Eddie Jones.
Rennie led an inexperienced Wallabies team through the pandemic period. When international rugby returned to normal, the Wallabies failed to produce consistent results. His firing followed Australia's first-ever loss to Italy.
“Coaching the All Blacks is an incredible honor," Rennie said. "I’m extremely proud to have been entrusted with this role and understand the expectations that come with it.
“I’m really clear on the way I want the All Blacks to play and I look forward to working with the players, management team, and the rugby community."
Rennie coached the Hamilton-based Chiefs to Super Rugby titles in 2012 and 2013 and had a 66% winning record with that team over five years. He then left New Zealand to coach Glasgow Warriors where he had a 65% winning record and reached a Pro14 final.
Rennie was chosen for the All Blacks role ahead of former Japan coach Jamie Joseph. Kirk chaired the committee that selected Rennie and said the process that found the new coach was the most thorough in New Zealand history.
“The All Blacks are set for a challenging and exciting two seasons ahead and it’s critical we followed a thorough process to find the right head coach," Kirk said. "Dave has a clear direction for the team that gives us confidence the team will be well positioned to perform as we head into the 2027 Rugby World Cup.”
Rennie is currently coaching Kobe Steelers in Japan and will return to New Zealand at the end of the Japan League One series. The All Blacks' first matches under his guidance will be against France, Italy and Ireland in June.
New Zealand has a difficult 2026 season in which it will play the world champion Springboks four times, three times in South Africa and once in the United States.
Rennie said he is confident New Zealand can win the 2027 World Cup in Australia.
“It’ll take a . . . a lot of work,” he said. “By the time we start we’ll have about 15 months to the World Cup and I’m well aware the way the draw works out in typical fashion in the World Cup. We’re likely to meet South Africa in the quarterfinals.
“We have to get the athletes in the best possible position to execute and play well. It’s a sprint from here.”
AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby
FILE - Australia's rugby coach Dave Rennie walks on the field before their their rugby union match against England in Brisbane, Australia, July 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Tertius Pickard, File)
NEW YORK (AP) — Atlanta Braves outfielder Jurickson Profar was suspended for the 2026 season by Major League Baseball on Tuesday following his second positive test for a performance-enhancing drug.
Profar tested positive for exogenous testosterone and its metabolites, the commissioner's office said, which means testosterone that was not produced by his body. Because it was a second offense, the length of Profar's suspension was 162 games.
The players' association filed a grievance at Profar's request to appeal to baseball’s independent arbitrator, Martin F. Scheinman, a person familiar with the process told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity, because no announcement had been made.
An All-Star in 2024, Profar was suspended for 80 games last March 31 following a positive test for Chorionic Gonadotrophin (hCG), a hormone that helps production of testosterone. He issued a statement then saying: "I would never willingly take a banned substance, but I take full responsibility and accept MLB’s decision.”
His agent, Dan Lozano, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The Braves released a statement that they “were incredibly disappointed” about the failed drug test.
“Our players are consistently educated about the (MLB Drug Prevention and Treatment) Program and the consequences if they are found to be in violation,” the club said. “The Atlanta Braves fully support the Program.”
Profar homered in his return from suspension on July 2 and finished with a .245 average, 14 homers, 43 RBIs and a .787 OPS in 80 games. He batted .280 in 2024, when he set career highs with 24 homers, 85 RBIs and an .839 OPS.
Profar said at the start of spring training that he had sports hernia surgery in November, requiring a six-week recovery time. He has appeared in four spring training games this year, going 3 for 10 with three RBIs.
Under the suspension, he is ineligible for the postseason and the World Baseball Classic. A native of Curaçao, Profar had been set to play for the Netherlands.
Profar will lose his $15 million salary for this year as part of a $42 million, three-year contract through 2027. He lost half his $12 million salary in 2025 due to the initial suspension.
He became the seventh player suspended 162 games for a second PED infraction after New York Mets pitcher Jenrry Mejia (July 2015), Cleveland outfielder Marlon Byrd (June 2016), free agent catcher Cody Stanley (July 2016), Houston pitcher Francis Martes (February 2020), Mets second baseman Robinson Canó (November 2020) and Milwaukee pitcher J.C. Mejia (September 2023).
Mejia received a lifetime ban in February 2016 after a third positive test, the only player to be given a permanent ban since drug testing with penalties started in 2004.
Four players had been suspended previously this year for positive tests, including free agent outfielder Max Kepler for 80 games under the major league program following a positive test for Epitrenbolone.
Following the offseason signing of left fielder Mike Yastrzemski to a $23 million, two-year deal, Profar had been targeted to be the Braves’ primary designated hitter.
When catcher Sean Murphy returns from a hip injury, perhaps in May, 2025 NL Rookie of the Year Drake Baldwin could fill in at DH when not behind the plate.
With Yastrzemski, Michael Harris and Ronald Acuña Jr. in the outfield, Eli White could be a DH option. The Braves also are without projected starting shortstop Ha-seong Kim due to a finger injury. Mauricio Dubon, expected to serve a utility role, is scheduled to open the season as the starting shortstop.
The loss of Profar could create an opportunity for Dominic Smith, who signed a minor league deal on Feb. 17.
AP Sports Writer Charles Odum contributed to this report.
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Atlanta Braves Drake Baldwin is greeted by Jurickson Profar after hitting a solo home run in the third inning of a spring training baseball game against the Minnesota Twins in North Port, Fla., Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
