New All Blacks Era
Dave Rennie Names Ardie Savea Captain for First All Blacks Squad, Including Four New Caps
Dave Rennie has named Ardie Savea as captain of his first All Blacks squad, a 34-man group selected for Nations Championship tests against France, Italy, and Ireland next month. Savea takes over from lock Scott Barrett, who is sidelined for five months after back surgery, according to Planet Rugby.
The squad was unveiled on June 22 at the Feilding Yellows Rugby Club by NZR Chair David Kirk and Rennie. It includes four uncapped players and signals a clear break from the Robertson era, with Rennie calling Savea a leader who will "lead through his actions," per AFP.
Savea Steps Up as Barrett's Back Ends His Tenure
Savea, 32, is a 100-test veteran who plays as a loose forward. He is currently based in Japan but returns to lead the squad. Rennie highlighted Savea's "Pasifika way" as a key reason for the choice, according to AFP. Savea is seen as the "popular vote" for the armband after filling in for Barrett multiple times, Yahoo Sports reported.
Barrett, the incumbent captain, was ruled out after needing back surgery in late May. His recovery is expected to take five months, per Planet Rugby. With Savea now installed, analysts believe he is the front-runner to lead the All Blacks at the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
Four New Faces Named, Including a 16-Try Sensation
Rennie handed out four debut call-ups. Hurricanes players dominate the new blood. Xavier Numia (prop) and Josh Moorby (wing) both earned spots after strong Super Rugby seasons. Fehi Fineanganofo, also a Hurricanes wing, is the standout pick after scoring 16 tries this season — equalling the all-time Super Rugby record held by Ben Lam and Joe Roff, per Planet Rugby.
The fourth debutant is Anton Segner, a flanker for the Blues. Born in Germany, Segner arrived in New Zealand on a six-month school scholarship and worked his way up through NZ Under-20s. He was named Blues Player of the Year, according to AP. His path has drawn international attention as a model for modern eligibility pathways.
Rennie Breaks the Overseas Contract Taboo for Fineanganofo
One of the boldest calls in the squad is selecting Fineanganofo despite him being signed with the Newcastle Red Bulls in the UK from 2027. New Zealand Rugby has historically left out players who commit to overseas clubs. Rennie ignored that norm, choosing form over future location, Planet Rugby reported.
Traditionalists worry the move weakens the domestic Super Rugby product. Rennie's camp argues the All Blacks must pick the best available players to win the Nations Championship and the 2027 World Cup. It is a pragmatic shift that sets a new precedent under the new coaching regime.
Hurricanes Dominate Squad After 60-5 Grand Final Demolition
Eleven of the 34 players come from the Hurricanes, who crushed the Chiefs 60-5 in the Super Rugby Pacific Grand Final on June 20, per 1News. Critics from Chiefs and Blues regions have questioned whether Rennie leaned too hard on recent Super Rugby form. The selection reflects Rennie's stated desire for a high-possession, ball-in-hand style of rugby.
Veteran Beauden Barrett remains the squad's most capped player with 144 test appearances, per Sport Nation. The All Blacks open the Nations Championship against France on July 4 in Christchurch. That match will be the first real test of Rennie's "optimistic" and "brutal" blueprint for the team.
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