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Saturday

08:45

International

Dave Rennie hints at former captain return, shares Bledisloe Cup squad plans

Henry Lee

Published: 8 hours ago | 13 September 2026 06:00 PDT
Updated: 1 hour ago | 13 September 2026 13:07 PDT

LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 15: Scott Barrett of New Zealand looks on in the tunnel prior to the Quilter Nations Series 2025 rugby international match between England and New Zealand at Allianz Stadium on November 15, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

62-year-old All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie has provided a mixed injury report post Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour, ahead of a two-week break before the Bledisloe Cup.

The All Blacks will return home from an energy-sapping seven-week-long tour, before naming a 34-man squad for two fixtures against Les Kiss’ Wallabies.

Addressing the travelling New Zealand media in Baltimore, Rennie had a promising update on former All Blacks captain Scott Barrett, who could feature in the upcoming squad.

VIDEO

Barrett, who didn’t play for the Crusaders in 2026 or for the All Blacks since Rennie took over, will be close for October’s Bledisloe Cup fixtures.

So too will be versatile Crusaders outside-back Leicester Fainga’anuku, who sustained a fibula fracture towards the back end of Super Rugby Pacific in 2026.

“So Scott Barrett should be back in time for that as well, and people like Leicester Fainga’anuku, so you know we’ve lost a few, but we’ll get a few back, which is positive,” Rennie said in Baltimore.

It’s not good news for current All Blacks captain Ardie Savea and vice-captain Luke Jacobson, who are set to miss the upcoming two Tests against Australia.

“Yeah, we’ll pick a squad of 34. We’ve already had a little bit of a think around what that might look like, knowing that Luke Jacobson and Ardie, those sorts of guys, will be out.

Fixture

Internationals

New Zealand

23:10

9 Oct 26

Australia

All Stats and Data

All Blacks midfielder Anton Lienert-Brown left the field in the first half with a knee injury, with Rennie providing an initial update on his status.

“Not sure. It’s a little MCL issue,” Rennie said.

“We will find out whether there’s anything else there as well, so it’s not an ACL, which is good.”

Quinn Tupaea and Anton Segner were both sent home through injury during the tour, but Rennie hopes they will both be available for Eden Park and Perth.

“We’re confident that Quinn will be back in time for that, and Anton Segner should be pretty close.”

Comments

8 Comments

MikeM 6 mins ago

Vaa’i definitely not up to it, too short to be an international lock against the Boks and looked lethargic at times in the fourth test. Hasn't got the class or pace to be a 6 against the strong international sides. I hope Darry keeps on developing and I still have hope for Lord, while Holland is definitely our number one lock. Time for Paddy to be replaced, such a big body however lacking the required mongrel to go with it. Barrett should be the fourth lack…not a captain but he has mongrel and competes hard, a bit like de Groot.

SC 1 hr ago

Could you imagine the reaction of the NZ public and media if the All Blacks lose to Australia at Eden Park ?

4 losses in a row and the Eden Park winning streak snapped.

Rennie is going to have to roll out his very best 23, whoever the hell that is because I have no idea any more.

frandinand 27 mins ago

Do you think he does.

GS 48 mins ago

Will be interested to see if they rush in Shannon Frezell, he looked rusty playing for Tasman but only given the first half to play and then pulled off - appears under instructions.

However maybe he will be for the Nth Tour - pretty tough for Lester F and Scott B to get them up to speed given how long they have been out, but maybe they will be pulled into the squad but maybe given time off bench?

Who would they replace - pretty clearly given selections Nacewa, Fehi won’t be selected but Vai’i, looks like a message needs to be delivered around discipline and maybe he will be dropped for Barrett.

Hard to see Oz beating the ABs - ranked 7th in the world and given they couldn’t supply a Semi Finalist in Super rugby, should be the same old, same old with them -they don’t have a 10, front row still pretty ropey and locks whilst mobile, have little physicality - though WC loose forward trio and in Valetini, he would walk into the ABs with his ability to get over the gainline and then some outside backs who have class and midfield pairing in Ikitau/Suaalii - bring skill and physical prescence.

Ed the Duck 54 mins ago

Now that would be funny! Is there a shared trophy for that one too…

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