Dave Rennie turned the Chiefs round from underperformers to title-winners in his first season in charge.

OPINION: From battlers to winners. That was the rapid transition of the Chiefs under Dave Rennie.

But then the consistency that came with it as well, that was the hallmark of the franchise's golden era in Super Rugby, which draws to a close when the coach signs off in the coming days after six seasons at the helm and takes up his two-year deal with Glasgow.

The Chiefs declined a request to interview Rennie at some stage before he heads to Scotland, so this look back on his tenure unfortunately won't be done through his eyes. Though he did have this to offer at a media session last week - ahead of the semifinal against the Crusaders in Christchurch, which turned out to be his final match in charge - when asked what it was about coaching that he got the biggest kick out of.

STUFF Rennie immediately put his own stamp on things, naming co-captains in Craig Clarke and Liam Messam.

"Obviously winning is always nice. But I think the most satisfying thing as a coach is hopefully you look back in 20 years' time and a lot of the guys that you've spent a lot of time with have gone on to have great lives and good families, and used this game to set themselves up well in life.

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STUFF A guru on the guitar, Rennie was quick to embrace the community, as 'Chiefs Mana' was born.

"I think we've got a lot of good men who've left here and have moved into other careers and that sort of thing. It's pretty cool to see that happen."

Now it's Rennie's turn to depart the scene, taking with him a bundle of fabulous memories, as he looks to broaden his coaching knowledge overseas, and build his way towards taking the All Blacks' top job at some stage. No-one could begrudge he'd deserve a shot, not after what he achieved at the Chiefs.

It started back in April, 2011, when he was appointed as the successor to Ian Foster, who had overseen a middling eight years, where the Chiefs did achieve a first semifinal appearance in 2004 and a final in 2009, but still had the inconsistencies that had plagued them since the competition's inception in 1996.

STUFF Rennie's relationship with Aaron Cruden was far more than just a player-coach one.

With Rennie - the Manawatu and New Zealand Under-20s coach, who had also led Wellington and been a Hurricanes assistant - came plenty of coaching experience, and then the ability to build a team and a culture.

Getting the mastermind, Wayne Smith, on board - who in turn lured the star power of Sonny Bill Williams - was massive, but the recruitment of the no-name guys was the secret. Rennie's ability to build a winning team from limited resources became a trademark.

Going into 2012 the Chiefs' 31-man squad featured 15 new players from the previous season, and names like Aaron Cruden, Sam Cane, Brodie Retallick and Ben Tameifuna got the chance to show their wares.

SIMON WATTS/GETTY IMAGES Two men instrumental to Rennie's first-season success were Wayne Smith and Sonny Bill Williams.

The partnership with Cruden was formed at Manawatu and the New Zealand Under-20s, and it's one which held the key - with the duo already having a good understanding of how one another liked to play. They not only talked gameplans, but the relationship developed to father-son type status, and the trust was deep.

Building the franchise around his little playmaker, Rennie spent countless hours poring over statistics which he felt told the story of player workrates, backing it up with video footage. He was prepared to look past experience in favour of players with a strong work ethic, and who were - as his catchcry went - "good buggers".

That savvy recruitment continued right through his Chiefs' tenure, with the likes of now-All Blacks Anton Lienert-Brown and Damian McKenzie lured from down south. Winning helped that.

SANDRA MU/GETTY IMAGES You quickly become a crowd favourite when you find success on the park.

Rennie stamped his mark immediately in the pre-season of 2012 by naming co-captains, in Liam Messam and Craig Clarke. This was before dual captaincy and leadership groups were in vogue. Some eyebrows were raised, but he knew he wanted shared duties, and he wasn't afraid to make the bold calls.

Around that came the heavy emphasis on team culture, and with the desire to get his troops playing for something meaningful, the Chiefs delved far and wide into all corners of their catchment area during the pre-season in order to understand who they represented.

'Chiefs Mana' was born.

MARK TAYLOR/STUFF Back-to-back tastes so good - celebrating the 2013 title with Bundee Aki, left, and Augustine Pulu.

Rennie's time began with an incongruous first-up home loss to the Highlanders, but from there an unprecedented nine-game winning run came, on the back of a hard-working forward pack, and the ability to set some electric backs alight.

The belief was instilled.

Knocking over the Crusaders in a semifinal in Hamilton was to be the start of a big swing in fortunes against the forever All Black-laden side, and then belting the Sharks 37-6 in the final in the rain capped off a most remarkable first season in charge.

STUFF Never a dull press conference, Rennie was always engaging and had a great sense of humour.

From there, the stage was Rennie's, but as equally outstanding was his ability, minus SBW, to lead his side to back-to-back championships, knowing how hard it is being the hunted and the potential for the second-year syndrome.

With the expansion of the competition from the following season, the Chiefs weren't able to earn another home playoff, and bowed out in away qualifying finals in 2014 and 2015, then trekking to Cape Town and winning quarterfinals against the Stormers in both 2016 and 2017 before falling to tough Kiwi opposition in semifinals on return from arduous travel.

Notwithstanding, though, it's that consistency which shone out, with the Chiefs the only team in the competition during Rennie's six years to feature in the playoffs every season.

MARK TAYLOR/STUFF An astute tactical operator, Rennie was always ahead of the game.

Rennie finished with a win rate of 68.27 per cent in Super Rugby - which in his time was bettered only by the Crusaders, who sit at 69.90 per cent - and is a massive improve on the 45.88 per cent which the Chiefs were at prior to his arrival.

While having been dealt some crippling injury tolls in recent seasons, Rennie seemed to enjoy the challenge of relying on the next crop anyway, and over the years he was never one to let players rest on laurels - so often his team namings featuring several switches despite a comfortable win the week before.

Rennie's tactical nous of the game stood out, his sides often showing something from outside the box - one sticking in the memory being the shock tactic of offside-looking players in defensive lines, but being legal because his players hadn't opted to form rucks. It's the same one Italy used against England, years later.

SANDRA MU/GETTY IMAGES Rennie has had wife Stephanie by his side through his time at the Chiefs, and they are looking forward to their new adventure overseas.

Masterful, canny and competitive as a coach, Rennie was also a great operator when fronting the media - engaging, genuine, and with a great sense of humour that made relaying information to the fans enjoyable.

He leaves having carved out an incredible legacy, with the Chiefs and their fans to certainly miss his prowess, but having been far the richer for his tenure.

AT A GLANCE

Dave Rennie's Chiefs record

2012: Champions

2013: Champions

2014: Qualifying finalists

2015: Qualifying finalists

2016: Semifinalists

2017: Semifinalists

Played 104, won 71, drew 3, lost 30

Win rate: 68.27%

Chiefs' win rate prior to 2012: 45.88%