PremiumOpinionOpinion byGregor PaulRugby analyst·NZ Herald·22 Jun, 2026 06:00 PM5 mins to readRugby analyst and feature writerAll Blacks captain Ardie Savea speaks to media after the All Blacks team announcement at the Feilding Yellow Rugby Club. Video / Mark MitchellHaving done the appropriate due diligence and applied his own critical analysis, head coach Dave Rennie concluded his All Blacks team needs a unifying and inspirational force as captain.
Based on that remit, there was only ever one man who could fulfil the brief, hence the elevation of
in what is a victory for common sense decision-making.
