Rennie backs Tavatavanawai to give All Blacks a point of difference off the bench at Murrayfield

Dave Rennie has chosen Timoci Tavatavanawai over Anton Lienert-Brown for the All Blacks’ bench as New Zealand prepare to face Scotland at Murrayfield this weekend, with the head coach pointing to the Highlanders midfielder’s physicality as a decisive factor in the selection call.

Tavatavanawai, who wore the No.22 jersey, has spent much of 2026 on the sidelines in favour of Lienert-Brown, but his performance in the second Bledisloe Cup Test in Sydney appears to have earned him a recall. He started that match at No.12 after Jordie Barrett withdrew with a tight calf, completing over 60 minutes at Accor Stadium and finishing with 13 carries and nine tackles.

Rennie, speaking to media at the All Blacks’ Edinburgh hotel, said the 23-year-old would offer something different when introduced from the bench. “We think Timoci will give us like a bit of a point of difference,” the head coach said. “If he’s coming on with 20 to go, with his power and his post-tackle presence, we’re reasonably happy with what we got out of him last Test.”

Rennie acknowledged that Tavatavanawai had begun to tire late in the Sydney Test, but attributed that partly to injury disruptions forcing a change in the original game plan. “The plan was to get him off earlier than that, but because we had a lot of injuries early, things change,” he said. “We think his contribution off the bench will be good.”

Lienert-Brown, meanwhile, has returned from injury and remains in the squad, but Rennie’s preference for Tavatavanawai’s impact role signals a clear tactical intent for the Murrayfield fixture, where Scotland are seeking a first victory over the All Blacks.

Elsewhere in the squad, Chiefs halfback Cortez Ratima has been selected ahead of Kyle Preston at reserve halfback — another call that may raise eyebrows given Preston featured in every match of the South Africa tour. Ratima missed significant portions of that tour with a knee injury but returned to action for Waikato in the Hilux NPC and impressed in training upon rejoining the squad.

Rennie was careful not to diminish Preston’s claims, but explained that Ratima’s recovery and sharpness tipped the balance. “Between Cortez and KP, we don’t think it’s an enormous amount,” he said. “But he obviously had a knee injury in South Africa; he’s over that totally, and looking really sharp at training. He brings a lot of energy, speed to the ball, and a really high-quality skill set. So if you want to lift the pace late in the game, he’s great for that.”