Why Dave Rennie picked Beauden Barrett over Scott for All Blacks captaincy

After 152 appearances and 148 Tests for the All Blacks, experienced playmaker Beauden Barrett will lead out the national team for only the second time against Wales this weekend at the Principality Stadium.

Barrett captained the All Blacks in a midweek game against the Barbarians in 2017, but has never done so in a Test, so Rennie has selected him ahead of former captain and brother Scott, who starts his fourth straight Test match.

Dave Rennie has opted for a mix of experience and new faces to take on Wales at the Principality Stadium, making ten changes to the squad that claimed a 43-21 victory over Scotland at Murrayfield.

Two of the Barrett brothers remain in the starting lineup, while Jordie, who sustained a concussion during the second half against Scotland, will rest ahead of England at Twickenham next week.

When asked about why Beauden was selected to captain the side for Wales, Rennie described the playmaker’s influence as “impressive”.

“Yeah, look, I’ve spoken a lot about Beauden, just a really impressive character. It was hard for him early on; he was struggling to get an opportunity, and just the quality of the man, very much team–first, went out of his way to help others who he competes with,” Rennie said in Cardiff.

“Obviously, his experience and time in a jersey just made him a really, I guess, strong contributor to the legacy and building on that. So he’s obviously got his opportunity, played really well, and now gets an opportunity to lead this country, so

“It’s a great story, but so deserving. He’s been awesome.”

Scott, who will play in his 93rd Test match, has returned to the All Blacks setup and failed to miss a beat, which Rennie admitted was the main reason his older brother was given the captaincy.

“I just don’t think he [Scott] needs the extra responsibility. He’s performed exceptionally well, as you guys would know, and so we talked a lot about him leading from outside the leadership group.

“We’ve got a number of our leadership group not playing this week, so we’ve brought him into that group to make sure we’re aligned, but he has a big say in our lineout, attack and defence.

“He’s going to be closer to the action and so we want him communicating with a referee where possible. But we just don’t feel that he needs to have the C next to his name and all the responsibility that goes with that.

“Beauden is a long way out the back. Not always ideal from a 15–point of view, but yeah, we’re confident he’s the right man for the job.”

The 62-year-old All Blacks head coach explained that the lock will continue to lead with his actions despite not having the captain’s armband, at least for the time being.

“Well, I mean. at this stage anyway [not considered for captaincy]. I think my thinking always also when he comes back in is just let him settle in and focus on himself.

“He’s going to naturally lead because it’s a strength of his. But he’s been very much a follow–me. He’s been demanding and challenging at training, which has been great, and just his work ethic and his brutality have been fantastic for us.

“We’re just trying not to burden him with any more responsibilities, because he’s playing well. So we’ll try and continue with that.”