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Dave Rennie provides return timeline on injured All Black captain
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All Blacks head coach is hoping to get tour captain Codie Taylor back into action next week in preparation for the Test series against the Springboks.
With Ardie Savea on rest for the first part of the tour, Crusaders hooker Codie Taylor was named tour captain despite being sidelined himself with injury.
After naming the side to play the Stormers that didn’t feature Taylor, Rennie confirmed they are targeting a return against the Bulls in Pretoria next Saturday.
“”He’s potentially going to be alright for the Bulls. We’re not going to rush that, though,” Rennie told media.
“He was running today, and had a little bit of time on the scrum sled.
“We’re definitely not looking at him against the Sharks. Maybe a small amount of game time against the Bulls to lead himself into a Test match.”
The All Blacks will turn around from Friday night’s fixture against the Stormers to play the Sharks in Durban on Tuesday, before playing the Bulls next Saturday.
The Bulls game will be the last chance for Test players to get some game time before the opening Test match in Johannesburg.
Rennie said the club fixtures have offered a great opportunity for guys returning from injury to log minutes already.
“We’ve picked the teams to play in these games, and already made a few changes based on injury,” he added.
“Looking at this first game, there’s a number of guys who have returned from injury or didn’t play a massive amount in the Nations Championship.
“It’s pretty experienced. You’ve got guys like Beauden Barrett playing who didn’t play but is training out of his skin and ready to go.
“A number of guys would be desperate to make an impression.”
Rennie is looking forward to seeing Beauden Barrett return to the pitch after missing action in July through selection.
“He’s smart, he’s played 140-odd games for this country, so he won’t try and overplay his hand. His job is to help implement and organise people around him.
“We’ve got a clear plan of how we want to play. We just want him to get out and drive the ship for us.”
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