'We need to be pioneers': Savea on leading the All Blacks in a new era

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Author: Samuel Sherry,
Publish Date: Mon, 22 Jun 2026, 1:27pm

Ardie Savea wants to see the All Blacks as “pioneers” after he shared an emotional moment with family following his appointment as All Blacks captain.

Savea was named captain in Dave Rennie’s first squad as All Blacks coach, with incumbent skipper Scott Barrett out of action because of a back injury.

“It’s a very special honour to be able to be here and lead the team,” Savea said.

“Had a conversation with mum and dad yesterday and mum shed a few tears, but I understand the responsibility and the honour to be in this role.

“So, I’ll give it my everything and work alongside these great men and the new brothers here to make this team great.”

The 32-year-old also said it was special to be part of the first Pasifika All Blacks coach and captain duo.

Dave Rennie has named Ardie Savea as All Blacks captain. Photo / Photosport

“I believe that everyone in here, we’re all from the Pacific and we’re all one.

“And that’s part of, I guess, what we want to do is unite our nation and unite our people.

“We’re Samoan, Rarotongan, but we’re all from the Pacific, we are all one, so that’s the way we move forward.”

Speaking to Sky Sport, coach Dave Rennie said Codie Taylor was a potential captain option, but felt confident in Savea taking the team forward.

“We thought we had a couple of really good options in Codie Taylor and Ardie, both highly respected and really good men,” Rennie said.

“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, so, yeah look, we had a couple of really good options there, I think, and certainly Codie and others will have a big role around leadership.”

Savea said he was excited to help take the team forward and expected plenty of new ideas to be in the team.

“People see new as a challenge, but I see new as freshness and bringing in new ideas and I think we’re at a stage in New Zealand rugby where we need to start being pioneers,” Savea said.

“And with the way the Super teams have been playing in New Zealand, it’s going to be really exciting us coming together. Five different teams or four and coming together as one and obviously being under a new coaching regime ... getting our game plans, our structures, understanding that and building trust and clarity and then being able to be expressive and free when we play.”

The All Blacks’ first test match under Dave Rennie will be against France in Christchurch on July 4.