Luke Jacobson named captain as Dave Rennie reshuffles squad for Sharks

All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie has named his 23-man squad to take on the Sharks in Durban, with a bunch of changes from their first Greatest Rivalry Tour game against the Stormers.

Rennie has given Chiefs captain Luke Jacobson the opportunity to captain his country for the first time, after being named in the No.7 jersey for the second midweek clash.

Moana Pasifika enforcer Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa and Blues hooker Bradley Slater are set to make their All Blacks debuts off the bench. Emoni Narawa and Timoci Tavatavanawai also feature for the first time in 2026.

Ruben Love will wear the No.10 jersey for the first time on tour, alongside club teammate Jordie Barrett at second-five. Crusaders halfback Kyle Preston will make his first start in an All Blacks jersey, after featuring against the Stormers in Cape Town.

Chiefs playmaker Damian McKenzie starts at fullback, with Caleb Clarke and Fehi Fineanganofo making up the back three.

Ethan de Groot, Asafo Aumua, and Fletcher Newell make up the starting front row, while Pasilio Tosi gets another chance, this time off the bench.

The All Blacks will start with three locks on the field, with Sam Darry and Josh Lord being named in the second row, while Tupou Vaa’i will line up at No.6.

Wallace Sititi, who missed the first clash of the tour despite being originally named, will start at No.8 after recovering from a “mild illness”.

With Billy Proctor nursing what looked like a shoulder injury, Quinn Tupaea gets the nod in the midfield alongside Barrett.

Rennie explained that Jacobson has earned the respect of the players, and deserves the opportunity to lead the All Blacks against the Sharks.

“Luke is the obvious choice to captain the team against the Sharks. He is highly respected, has a great feel for the game and will lead through his actions,” Rennie said.

“Two more players will pull on the All Blacks jersey for the first time against the Sharks. On behalf of the whole squad, I want to congratulate Semisi and Bradley on achieving this very special milestone, and I know their family and friends will be incredibly proud.

“The opening match gave the players a real introduction to the way that South African teams play and the Sharks will be no different. With a short turnaround between games, today has been a big day of preparation. There is a lot of excitement in the group, with the majority of the squad about to play their first game of the tour.”

All Blacks match-day 23 (Test caps and non-Test games in brackets. * indicates first All Blacks appearance):

1. Ethan de Groot (43, 0)

2.  Asafo Aumua (22, 3)

3. Fletcher Newell (37, 0)

4. Josh Lord (15, 0)

5.  Sam Darry (10, 1)

6. Tupou Vaa’i (47, 0)

7. Luke Jacobson (27, 0) (Captain)

8. Wallace Sititi (21, 0)

9. Kyle Preston (1, 1)

10. Ruben Love (8, 0)

11. Caleb Clarke (36, 1)

12. Jordie Barrett (81, 0)

13. Quinn Tupaea (26, 0)

14. Fehi Fineanganofo (1, 0)

15. Damian McKenzie (77, 0)

Reserves:

16. Bradley Slater *

17. Ollie Norris (3, 1) 

18. Pasilio Tosi (17, 1)

19. Ethan Blackadder (14, 1)

20. Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa *

21. Cam Roigard (20, 0)

22. Timoci Tavatavanawai (2, 0)

23. Emoni Narawa (4, 0)