All Blacks captain Taylor vows to honour fallen security chief Cadwallader at Murrayfield

All Blacks captain Codie Taylor has called on his side to honour the sudden death of long-time head of security Logan Cadwallader through their performance against Scotland at Murrayfield, with the team set to wear black armbands and perform the Ka Mate haka in his memory.

New Zealand Rugby announced Cadwallader’s death on Monday after he passed away suddenly at the team’s Edinburgh hotel. Head coach Dave Rennie paid tribute to a man who had become a central figure in the All Blacks’ extended family.

“Logan has been a big part of the All Blacks family for a long time. He was the ultimate team man, loved and trusted by all and a true professional,” Rennie said. “He looked after all of us, players and staff, and he was a good mate to many in this team. We are all devastated. Our thoughts are with his wife, Nannette, his children, Trey, Brooke and Mia, and his wider family and friends. As a team, we will honour Logan and the legacy he has left on the All Blacks.”

Taylor, a 114-Test hooker, spoke at the All Blacks’ captain’s run and made clear that despite an emotionally draining week, the squad had prepared with focus and purpose.

“I think early on it’s just about acknowledging what everyone’s going through individually. But we made a call earlier in the week that Logan would want us to kick on and get stuck into what’s an important week for us,” Taylor said. “This week’s been a lot bigger than rugby, and we’re well aware of that. But we also know that the best way we can show our respect is through rugby and the game we love.”

The All Blacks will also wear a poppy on Armistice Day, a detail Taylor described as fitting given Cadwallader’s background as a former SAS serviceman.

“So that’s our focus tomorrow: to show our respect through putting in a good performance for our brother and for our country. Wearing the poppy as well — it’s sort of fitting in a way to represent those who have fallen, and then also our brother Logan, a servant in the SAS.”

Taylor confirmed the choice of Ka Mate, rather than the Kapa o Pango haka, was deliberate and symbolic. “We’re going to do Ka Mate tomorrow to pay our homage to Armistice Day as well as Logan. They talk about being fierce warriors, SAS, and Ka Mate is the way we’re going to show that.”

New Zealand head into the fixture as heavy favourites, with Scotland yet to beat the All Blacks in 33 attempts. But on a weekend defined by grief and remembrance, the result will carry a weight that extends well beyond the scoreboard.