1
'Always three truths': Rassie Erasmus and Jaco Peyper respond to accusations of slowing the game
90
{{item.n}}
Dave Rennie reveals All Blacks leadership group after Will Jordan's captaincy stint
reporting from Auckland
Comment
Share 
All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie has clarified why Will Jordan captained the side for part of the final quarter against Italy, while also revealing the other members of the wider leadership group.
Rennie’s side hit their straps directly after half-time in Wellington, dotting down for four quick-fire tries during the third quarter against Italy, before taking off a number of their experienced players.
Jordan, who became the all-time leading try-scorer for the All Blacks in Test matches with 50, was the last man standing of Rennie’s leadership group during the final 15 minutes of the game, and took over from Ardie Savea as he left the field.
Veteran Sky Sport commentator Grant Nisbett announced on the broadcast that Jordan had become captain late in the contest, a decision which Rennie explained on Monday in Auckland.
VIDEO
“I don’t really have a vice captain. We have a captain, and then we’ve got five other leaders,” the All Blacks head coach said.
“He was skipper on the weekend because we subbed all the other leaders off, Luke Jacobson, Jordie Barrett, obviously, Ardie had gone off, and Codie had gone off.
“Cameron Roigard had gone off too. So Will [Jordan] was the last man standing, but he’s smart, he’s got a really good rugby IQ, and he’d already scored three tries at that stage so we thought we would cap it off by making him captain.”
The coaching staff opted to replace All Blacks captain Savea, midfielder Jordie Barrett, and veteran hooker Codie Taylor before the 65th minute, bringing on two debutants and the remaining bench players.
Add Chiefs captain and All Blacks loose-forward Luke Jacobson to that mix, who was replaced at halftime due to calf tightness, and Rennie’s side were without five of their six-man leadership group from the 65th minute onwards.
After the Italy Test in Wellington, Rennie confirmed that Jordan is also the leader of the counter-attacking group, in charge of the quick taps and detail around where the All Blacks attack from.
“Look, he’s got an unbelievable anticipation, and then genuine gas to get himself in positions to take passes, off-line breaks, and so on. Ardie talked about his rugby IQ; he’s smart, really understands the game well.
“I’ve been really impressed with him. He’s leading our Tamahi Tua Tahi group, which is our counterattack, turnover attack group, and first act, which is all the quick taps, and he’s having a massive impact in that area too.”
Watch Hemispheres collide as North faces South in the brand new Nations Championship. Live matches, replays and highlights free on RugbyPass TV here
