Why Rennie chose Ardie Savea as the new All Blacks captain

Ardie Savea will be the new All Blacks captain after incoming head coach Dave Rennie named the talismanic figure as his captain at the 2026 Nations Championship squad announcement in Fielding.

Savea will led the 34-man squad into the July Nations Championship fixtures against France, Italy and Ireland.

The 32-year-old officially takes over from Scott Barrett, although Savea has plenty of on-field experience with the role as a vice-captain under former coaches Ian Foster and Scott Robertson.

Siya Kolisi on facing the BaaBaas

Siya Kolisi on facing the BaaBaas

Rennie and Savea have built a relationship this year at the Kobelco Steelers in Japan which will continue into the All Blacks for 2026.

The new All Blacks coach said it was a decision that came down to Codie Taylor or Savea and that both will be involved in the leadership group.

“We thought we had a couple of really good options in Codie Taylor and Ardie, both highly respected and really good men,” Rennie told Sky Sport’s The Breakdown.

“And what we know, Ardie’s not a massive talker, but he leads through his actions, and I know you get the best out of Ardie when he’s going to take on that responsibility, he’s played 100 tests, he’s highly respected.

“We had a couple of really good options there I think, and certainly Codie and others will have a big role around leadership.”

There was no hesitation on Savea’s behalf when Rennie came calling, accepting the role immediately. His vision is to unite the people of the Pacific as one behind the team.

“He called me, gave me a phone call, and yeah, he question came through, and obviously I said yes. It was as simple as that,” Savea said.

“It’s a real honour and privilege. I didn’t really have that much time to let it sink in, it wasn’t until driving up here you kind of get the jitters and butterflies on on the responsibility.

“I’m a man of few words, but I try and lead for action, and I think I do that because a lot of the leaders that have really impacted me were the ones that didn’t say much, but really, really led for action through the training week and the game, so I think I’d say that.

Savea spoke of the excitement around how the New Zealand Super Rugby teams played this season and how he would like the All Blacks to get back to being pioneers of the game.

“I think what I’m excited about is that people see new as a challenge, but I see new as freshness and bringing in new ideas, and I think we’re at a stage in New Zealand rugby where we need to start being pioneers, and with the way the Super Rugby teams have been playing in New Zealand, it’s going to be really exciting, us coming together, five different teams, or four, and coming together as one,” he said.

“Obviously being under the new coaching regime is getting our game plans, our structures, understanding that, and building trust and clarity, and then being able to be expressive and free when we play.”