Dave Rennie names Ardie Savea All Blacks captain ahead of 2026 Nations Championship

Ardie Savea will captain the All Blacks in 2026 after incoming head coach Dave Rennie named the 32-year-old flanker as his skipper at the Nations Championship squad announcement in Feilding, succeeding lock Scott Barrett in the role.

Savea will lead a 34-man squad into July fixtures against France, Italy and Ireland, bringing with him prior captaincy experience as a vice-captain under both Ian Foster and Scott Robertson. The appointment also builds on an existing working relationship: Rennie and Savea have been together at the Kobelco Steelers in Japan this year.

Rennie revealed the decision came down to Savea or hooker Codie Taylor, with both men remaining central to the leadership group. “We thought we had a couple of really good options in Codie Taylor and Ardie, both highly respected and really good men,” Rennie told Sky Sport’s The Breakdown. “Ardie’s not a massive talker, but he leads through his actions, and I know you get the best out of Ardie when he’s going to take on that responsibility. He’s played 100 tests, he’s highly respected.”

Savea said he accepted without hesitation when Rennie called. “He gave me a phone call, and obviously I said yes. It was as simple as that,” Savea said. “It’s a real honour and privilege. I didn’t really have that much time to let it sink in — it wasn’t until driving up here that you kind of get the jitters and butterflies on the responsibility.”

The new captain outlined a vision rooted in action over words, citing the leaders who influenced him most. “I’m a man of few words, but I try and lead by action,” he said. “A lot of the leaders that have really impacted me were the ones that didn’t say much, but really led through the training week and the game.”

Savea also pointed to the form of New Zealand’s Super Rugby franchises as a source of optimism for what the All Blacks can achieve under Rennie’s new regime. “People see new as a challenge, but I see new as freshness and bringing in new ideas,” he said. “We’re at a stage in New Zealand rugby where we need to start being pioneers, and with the way the Super Rugby teams have been playing, it’s going to be really exciting coming together as one.”

Savea’s appointment marks a significant shift in tone for the All Blacks, with Rennie clearly prioritising on-field leadership and cultural unity as he begins his tenure in charge of one of rugby’s most scrutinised jobs.