League One champions Kobe Steelers unveiled World Cup-winning All Black Andy Ellis as Dave Rennie’s successor at their training base in Hyogo on Monday. Kobe initially announced the anticipated appointment on 7 August following RugbyJP.com’s story in June and introduced their new coach to the media on the first day of their gruelling six-month pre-season. The 2011 World Cup winner enjoyed six years playing for the powerhouse Japanese side from 2014 to 2020 and was part of the

League One champions Kobe Steelers have today confirmed the appointment of World Cup-winning All Black Andy Ellis as former head coach Dave Rennie’s successor in Hyogo. RugbyJP.com first heard that Ellis, 42, was being lined up for the job in April following the announcement of Rennie’s appointment as the new All Blacks head coach in March. The 2011 World Cup winner, who kicked the ball out to seal the All Blacks’ 8-7 win over France as the hosts lifted the Webb Ellis trophy

World Cup-winning All Black Andy Ellis is set to replace new All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie at League One champions Kobe Steelers, RugbyJP.com can exclusively reveal. The 2011 World Cup winner, who kicked the ball out to seal the All Blacks’ 8-7 win over France as the hosts lifted the Webb Ellis trophy for the second time, spent six years playing for the Japanese side from 2014 to 2020 and was part of their Top League championship win in 2018 under Dave Dillon. © JRLO Elli