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International

Dave Rennie provides return timeline on injured All Black captain

Ben Smith

Published: 5 August 2026 18:39 PDT

Codie Taylor and Ardie Savea of New Zealand sing the national anthem ahead of the Nations Championship match between New Zealand and France at One New Zealand Stadium. (Photo by Joe Allison/Nations Championship via Getty Images)

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.”

Comments

46 Comments

Hammer Head 45 days ago

Despite having the amazing ability to both irritate me and make me laugh, you kiwis are starting to grow on me.

Except JW. He can f#ck off.

Discuss.

Bazzallina 44 days ago

I love JW Hammer!!! but i don’t like ww on your side called me a momma lover ( but the nasty way) yesterday

Utiku Old Boy 45 days ago

It will be interesting to see BB roll out with this group. I think there could be a surprise “fit” for a defined role for him in Rennie’s game plan. I hope so anyway.

Hammer Head 44 days ago

I thought he was doing quite well on the turtle detail.

Hammer Head 45 days ago

Per my point below, BB may well have to start in Boston. Best he be ready.

Hammer Head 45 days ago

I’m trying to recall who said this yesterday… I’m watching waay too many YouTube videos and they’re all blurring into one…

Oh yes, Rassie said it at the Argie presser. I’m paraphrasing:

4 tests in a row? That’s like your pool games at a World Cup… 3 games in quick succession… Plus a round of 16…

We know that we are going to lose players to injury. Will we have the players left standing in key positions by the “knockouts”? We have to prep for that…

Players like Elrich and Cameron Hanekom know that we are going to need to use them. That’s why they are in the squad. That is why all of our players are in the system, part of the alignment.

They don’t need to play themselves into the side. They’re already in. They just need to be ready for when we need them.

Because, while the next 4 games in quick succession is like your pool games at a world cup - they’re all against the ABs!

This greatest rivalry series is a fascinating experiment for both teams - the first for either since the game turned pro. Exceptional preparation for both teams for the World Cup.

If I was going to lean towards a 3-1 series win for the Boks, which I am incredibly reluctant to do, it will be because the Boks have the cattle to last to the end of the series and have good enough players to win the last game.

The ABs are vulnerable in key positions. Players like Jordie, Love, Dmac, Ardie, Codie, Roigard. Lose any of those or more than one of those and the series becomes a long one for them.

The Franchise games, while they should be easy victories for the ABs, could mow down some of their depth early on in the campaign. What the franchises lack in ability to win, they make up for in passion and physicality. They’ll do their job for the cause.

The modern game within which this series is being experimented in has never been more brutal on the body… Rassie has prepared for this (and for the next world cup) like a general prepares for war.

Numbers.

@Chiefs Mana

Bazzallina 45 days ago

Great stuff HH and totally agree around it not being about a set 23 yadda yadda wise words from Rassie but imo it’s really only a concern at ABs depth around 9 all the other positions have good and exciting options but that back up halfbacks still needs a dude or dudes to grab it by the nutcrackers ..rotating squad imo is not just about “ building depth “ but winning here and now

ColinK 45 days ago

Going to be a great series Hammer some good points there. Will be interesting to see how it plays out. If you look at that team to play the Stormers we also have some good depth. I think its 60 to 40 for the Boks though, but as you know you can’t write of my beloved team. If they get a roll on they could surprise the Boks, but I do rate your team the favorites

Chiefs Mana 45 days ago

Jasper Wiese, PSDT, De Allende, Willemse…all thoroughly important players for you, you will be a worse team without any or more of those players. Like any team.

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