Richie Mo’unga returns, new captain named for All Blacks in Baltimore
Richie Mo’unga is back at No 10, while Codie Taylor has been named captain, as the All Blacks confirmed their side to take on the Springboks at Baltimore’s M&T Bank Stadium.
With any hopes of winning the series gone with a 29-24 defeat to South Africa in Soweto last week, coach Dave Rennie has been forced into changes, as injury and rotation continue to impact the All Blacks’ squad.
Who should captain the All Blacks in Baltimore?
The All Blacks are running out of captains. Maybe it’s a captain curse, as they need a new skipper for Sunday’s fourth test against the Springboks in the US.
Scott Barrett, the captain under former coach Scott Robertson, has missed the season with a back injury, while his replacement, Ardie Savea, now faces a lengthy stint on the sidelines after suffering a shoulder dislocation in the third test. Luke Jacobson took over from Savea in Soweto but the Chiefs skipper will also miss the Baltimore test, out with an elbow injury.
So who will lead the side when they walk out on to Baltimore’s M&T Bank Stadium on Sunday? It’s a big call for Dave Rennie, as the All Blacks need a win to level the series.
Codie Taylor
Pros: He’s done it before but not at test level, captaining the side against the Bulls last month. He has been a regular leader of the haka. Experienced player with more than 100 tests under his belt.
Cons: Is he the first name on the team sheet? Taylor didn’t start last week with his replacement, Asafo Aumua, putting in a strong performance in the No 2 jersey. The scrum and lineout haven’t been great against the world champions.
Jordie Barrett
Pros: One of the best players in the world. Has been part of the All Blacks leadership group for a while. Both brothers, Scott and Beauden, have done it previously, so it would complete the Barrett captaincy set.
Cons: A back as a captain? Most teams keep it in the forwards. Halfback Aaron Smith is the most recent, captaining the All Blacks in 2021 against Fiji, while All Blacks assistant coach Tana Umaga was the last regular captain from the backline.
Tupou Vaa’i
Pros: Certainly a “follow me” type of player. Has been tagged as a potential future All Blacks captain, so why not give him the chance now?
Cons: Hasn’t done it before at test level. Can’t be much different than leading Wesley College in a first XV clash against Feilding High School.
Patrick Tuipulotu
Pros: Might be the best captain among the squad.
Cons: Might not be the best lock among the squad.
Cameron Roigard
Pros: Shades of David Kirk or George Gregan. Plus he’s right there in the ref’s ear anyway at scrum time, so might as well make it official so Englishman Karl Dickson can’t ignore him if he’s the skipper.
Cons: Little to no captaincy experience.
Alex Powell is a sports journalist for the NZ Herald. He has been a sports journalist since 2016.
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