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Ardie Savea to captain All Blacks in Scott Barrett's absence

Stephen Perofeta, Ardie Savea and Asafo Aumua of the All Blacks line up to sing the national anthem ahead of the International Test Match between New Zealand All Blacks and England at Eden Park on July 13, 2024 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

All Blacks captain Scott Barrett is expected to miss the opening two Tests of The Rugby Championship against Los Pumas with a finger injury, an absence that will see vice-captain Ardie Savea promoted.

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The reigning World Rugby Player of the Year was a favourite, alongside Barrett, to land the role of captain under new head coach Scott Robertson, and the decision to go with the Crusaders lock was met with a mixed response from fans.

Savea’s powerful and inspirational style of play was seen as the perfect quality for a leader, and those Savea fans pushing his case will – albeit temporarily – get their wish when the southern hemisphere’s giants collide this weekend.

“He’s in our leadership group, he’s an obvious choice,” assistant coach Jason Ryan told media at a press conference on Monday when questioned on the difficulty of the call.

“He’s a leader anyway. We’re all full of support for Ardie, he’ll be great.”

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins
4
Draws
0
Wins
1
Average Points scored
42
14
First try wins
80%
Home team wins
40%

The aforementioned expectation is that the team will be without their familiar leader for both Los Pumas Tests courtesy of his torn finger ligament suffered in the clash with Fiji in San Diego, which required surgery.

The team have a one-week gap between the Argentina Tests and their first clash with reigning world champions South Africa in Johannesburg, fixtures that Barrett will no doubt be determined to take part in.

Jordie Barrett will continue to serve as vice-captain and will be joined by Codie Taylor during his brother’s absence.

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Nickers 31 minutes ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

I thought we made a lot of progress against that type of defence by the WC last year. Lots of direct running and punching holes rather than using width. Against that type of defence I think you have to be looking to kick on first phase when you have front foot ball which we did relatively successfully. We are playing a lot of rugby behind the gain line at the moment. They are looking for those little interchanges for soft shoulders and fast ball or off loads but it regularly turns into them battering away with slow ball and going backwards, then putting in a very rushed kick under huge pressure.


JB brought that dimension when he first moved into 12 a couple of years ago but he's definitely not been at his best this year. I don't know if it is because he is being asked to play a narrow role, or carrying a niggle or two, but he does not look confident to me. He had that clean break on the weekend and stood there like he was a prop who found himself in open space and didn't know what to do with the ball. He is still a good first phase ball carrier though, they use him a lot off the line out to set up fast clean ball, but I don't think anyone is particularly clear on what they are supposed to do at that point. He was used really successfully as a second playmaker last year but I don't think he's been at that role once this year. He is a triple threat player but playing a very 1 dimensional role at the moment. He and Reiko have been absolutely rock solid on defence which is why I don't think there will be too much experimentation or changes there.

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