'Authentic': All Blacks dig into legacy before first Test under Rennie

The All Blacks have spent the build-up to their first Test under Dave Rennie revisiting the history and standards attached to the jersey, with players describing the exercise as 'authentic' rather than ceremonial.

Legacy work has become a standard part of the All Blacks environment, but its value depends on whether it translates into behaviour under pressure. Coaches use it to define non-negotiables before results start shaping the narrative.

For a new coaching group, the first Test is also a positioning exercise. Selection choices, bench structure and captaincy signal what the era intends to prioritise.

Players in camp have described a settled environment with clear direction, though the measure of that will be how the side responds in the second half of a tight match rather than how it trains in the build-up.