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Why Dave Rennie picked Beauden Barrett over Scott for All Blacks captaincy
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George Bower: Rebuilding his All Blacks career, one song and prayer at a time
reporting from Cardiff
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After the sudden death of the All Blacks‘ Head of Security, Logan Cadwallader, in their Edinburgh hotel, the players rallied together to produce a performance “Caddy” would be proud of against Scotland at Murrayfield.
“He who dares nothing. Hopes for nothing. But he who dares. Wins. We will remember them always.”
That was the All Blacks’ motto for Scotland Week, in memory of their “quiet hero”, Cadwallader, who served in the Special Air Service.
While the week was understandably subdued, it also highlighted the people who help shape the cultural and spiritual foundations of the All Blacks, particularly during challenging times.
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The All Blacks leaned on each other, their leaders, and, for some, their faith.
All Blacks prop George Bower plays his own part in creating that environment, a bundle of joy whose warmth extends to everyone in the room.
Whether he’s on the team bus with a guitar alongside Hurricanes prop Pasilio Tosi, or in a prayer circle post-Test match, Bower embraces the different ways he can contribute to the team environment.
Dave Rennie’s men, alongside their wider management and staff, met in the centre of Murrayfield an hour after their 43-21 victory. In that meeting, Cadwallader’s son, Trey, and brother, Dwayne, linked arms with the whole of the All Blacks touring party in honour of their fallen soldier.
And even before that emotional moment, the Crusaders prop took it on himself to honour Cadwallader in the team’s post-match huddle.
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“Yeah, I guess I was brought up in a religious family, so when things like that happen, you kind of feel it in your heart to do things like that, which is, I guess, normal in our household,” Bower told RugbyPass, sitting at their Bath hotel in preparation for Wales in Cardiff.
“So for me, I kind of just put that hat on and lead from the front in that aspect. I guess it was the best thing I can do to contribute to the help of the grief of the boys and the team.”
Bower is known among the players as a big personality. You only have to look as far as the Crusaders’ 2025 Super Rugby Pacific title celebration to see his exuberant nature, with his infectious energy hardly ever going unnoticed.
“It probably has to do with the upbringing, growing up in a family that is always singing, and then also finishing high school I got into a bit of teaching, and interaction is a huge thing for me,” Bower said.
“So yeah, coming into this environment, when I first came in here, I definitely wouldn’t have done that because I was young. I was just feeling it out and just earning my stripes.
“But now, being a lot older, still not old-old, but now being a lot older, you kind of push those things to the side and realise the benefits you can get from singing songs and being yourself in this environment, and the boys feed off it as well.
“They feed off the laughter, they feed off energy, which helps your week as well. So anyway that I can also help in that area too to help uplift the team.”
Just over a year ago, Bower thought he was “the old” player in the group.
Now, after climbing up the ladder of New Zealand’s premier props in 2026, Bower feels fitter and stronger than ever before.
On the field, the Wellington-born prop has had a career resurgence in the black jersey, highlighted by that special scrum in the 55th minute against the Springboks at Ellis Park.
Bower, coming off the bench for an injured Ethan de Groot, had a job to do in Johannesburg.
While he wasn’t alone in turning around the All Blacks’ scrum at Ellis Park, he deserves a sizeable share of the credit.
That hasn’t been Bower’s only strong performance in 2026, and whether it’s off the bench or the starting No.1 jumper, Bower is yet to let Rennie down.
“That [South African] tour was awesome because it taught us a lot about problem–solving on the go and working with your back five, and how important is everyone’s working in the unit,” the All Black prop told RugbyPass.
“It’s definitely given me a few more solutions for if things do come my way, and also the ability to feel a bit more in the scrum and have the ability to do this the next time.
“So that’s what it taught me, and then also just the connections that I’ve built with the hookers and the other tight head props as well throughout that tour, and coming onto this tour, it definitely helps. There are those little connections throughout training, and what you kind of get from a game as well.”
The 34-year-old loosehead prop, who can play both sides of the scrum if required, said he’s simply focused on putting his best foot forward at all times.
“Yeah, it’s funny how rugby works, man. You don’t think you’re going to get another Test in a black jersey, and then all of a sudden it happens, and you’re playing a few Tests. So, man, I’m loving the team at the moment; there’s some awesome competition between the looseheads and even the front rowers.
“I’m just trying to put my best foot forward wherever I can, and I guess first things first is putting the team first. And however that looks for me, I’ll do that job 100 per cent.
“I‘m an older player. I kind of flipped it on the head, and didn’t let it don’t let it limit me.
“Really pushing myself where I can around the extras, around the field, around the gym, and it’s pretty cool. It is paying off because I’m feeling a bit fitter than I ever was before.
“Definitely a lot stronger than what I was before as well. You don’t get to your peak strength till you’re 38, so I’ve still got a long way to go.”
1 YEAR TO GO
The countdown is on until the biggest Men’s Rugby World Cup ever kicks off in Australia. Go All Out and secure your seats with tickets now available!
