'I regret it': New All Blacks coach opens up on Lions pain
The All Blacks have turned to a familiar rival for attacking inspiration, appointing former Scotland captain Mike Blair as their new attack coach.
Blair, who earned 85 Test caps for Scotland, admitted he is ‘thrilled’ to join Dave Rennie’s new coaching group, having previously worked with him at Glasgow and now at Kobe. Their long-standing relationship, built on a shared understanding of the game, played a key role in securing Blair’s place in the All Blacks set-up.
But it is a lingering regret from his playing days that continues to drive him. He reflected on his 2009 British & Irish Lions tour this week on the Aotearoa Rugby Pod, admitting he failed to make the most of his opportunity, a missed chance that now fuels his coaching ambition.
“I was proud to be selected, but I didn’t maximise that opportunity, and that’s something I still regret,” Blair said. “This role feels like a chance to make amends, but the real work starts when we get on the field and start delivering results.”
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Blair’s appointment also adds valuable northern hemisphere insight to the All Blacks, an area that has drawn criticism in recent years. His coaching journey began at Glasgow in 2016 before he stepped up as head coach at Edinburgh in 2021.
However, in a bold move, he walked away from that role in 2023, choosing instead to specialise in attack and reunite with Rennie in Japan. It was a decision rooted in his passion for the finer details of breaking down defences.
“I love the detail of attack and finding ways to beat different defensive systems and helping players improve,” Blair explained. “As a head coach, the broader responsibilities took me away from that focus.”
Now, with a clear mandate and renewed purpose, Blair arrives in New Zealand determined to turn past regret into future success and help shape the next phase of All Blacks attacking rugby.
