The All Blacks will rest captain Ardie Savea on the tour of the biggest Rugby tournament in South Africa.
New Zealand will rest Ardie Savea from the tour matches in Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series and the All Blacks captain will return for the first of four Tests against South Africa.
Savea, who captained the team during lock Scott Barrett’s tenure, will not take part in the games against four South African teams in the United Rugby Championship in the first edition of the historic series.
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Hooker Codie Taylor has been named tour captain as New Zealand coach Dave Rennie looks to improve his leadership options.
There are three uncapped players in Rennie’s squad in prop Siale Lauaki, loose forward Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa and flyweight Josh Jacomb, while second row Fabian Holland is a welcome return after a long layoff.
The All Blacks open their tour with the Stormers in Cape Town on the 7th of August, with the first Test against the Springboks on the 22nd of August at Ellis Park in Johannesburg.
“Since there are eight games in six weeks, including the four Test series against the Springboks, this will have to be the most difficult trip in rugby,” said Rennie after naming a team of 44 players. “Every player will have to play his role throughout this trip, whether he is preparing to play or helping his teammates prepare.
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“It will be a seven-week tour but it is a great opportunity for us to compare ourselves to the current team in world rugby, and to build connections in a way that a tour of this scale can do. What we learn about ourselves on and off the field will prepare us well for the Rugby World Cup in 2027.
“The franchise games will give an opportunity to other leaders in the group to step in as captain, before Ardie Savea arrives in South Africa before the first Test match.
All Blacks coach Dave Rennie has named a 44-man squad (Getty)
“Ardie has had a great career over the last few years and we think it’s best if he takes a long break so he can come back ready to lead us in the Test series. We have good leaders in our team who will welcome the opportunity to captain the team.”
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Two more tests in South Africa will be followed by a clash in Baltimore to close the series. The two southern hemisphere heavyweights have reached a touring agreement that will see them clash every four years.
Alongside Barrett, Tamaiti Williams and the versatile Leicester Fainga’anuku, who has featured in the back and back row this year, were ruled out. Rieko Ioane returns to the squad after being left out of the Nations Championship.
The All Blacks team in Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series
Top (25)
Hooks
Codie Taylor, Asafo Aumua, Samisoni Taukei’aho, George Bell
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Equipment
Ethan De Groot, George Bower, Xavier Numia, Ollie Norris, Tyrel Lomax, Fletcher Newell, Pasilio Tosi, Siale Lauaki
Locks
Tupou Vaa’i, Patrick Tuipulotu, Josh Lord, Sam Darry. Fabian Holland
Back lines
Ardie Savea, Peter Lakai, Simon Parker, Ethan Blackadder, Luke Jacobson, Anton Segner, Wallace Sititi, Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa
Back (19)
Scrum halves
Cam Roigard, Cortez Ratima, Kyle Preston
Fly halves
Ruben Love, Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie, Josh Jacomb
Institutions
Jordie Barrett, Quinn Tupaea, Billy Proctor, Anton Lienert-Brown, Timoci Tavatavanawai
Outside the Back
Caleb Clarke, Fehi Fineanganofo, Leroy Carter, Josh Moorby, Will Jordan, Rieko Ioane, Emoni Narawa
