All Blacks Star to Be Rested for Start of SA Tour

All Blacks star to be rested for start of SA tour

The All Blacks have named a 44-man squad to travel to South Africa and the United States for the inaugural Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour. Inspirational captain Ardie Savea has, however, been granted an extended break and will miss the opening three tour matches against the Stormers, Sharks and Bulls. The dynamic look forward will then return to the squad ahead of the first Test against the Springboks on 22 August. “The franchise games will provi…

Former All Blacks coach rejoins team

A former All Blacks tactician has rejoined the coaching staff for the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series in South Africa. Assistant coach Tamati Ellison has returned just four months after leaving his role when NZ Rugby appointed head coach Dave Rennie and his management team. The 43-year-old recently guided the Maori All Blacks to victory over Japan XV, and has been confirmed as a Blues assistant from the 2027 Super Rugby Pacific season. HANSEN: R…

Savea rested as All Blacks prepare for South Africa tour

The All Blacks will begin their tour of South Africa without captain Ardie Savea, with coach Dave Rennie opting to rest the influential loose forward after an uninterrupted 18-month playing schedule. Savea will rejoin the squad 10 days before the opening Test, while veteran hooker Codie Taylor has been appointed tour captain despite carrying an injury concern. Rennie also handed maiden call-ups to Siale Lauaki, Semisi Ta’eiloa and Josh Jacomb, p…

All Blacks captain Ardie Savea stood down with immediate effect

All Blacks captain Ardie Savea has been stood down with immediate effect after head coach Dave Rennie confirmed the star back-rower will miss the start of New Zealand’s tour of South Africa. The decision comes as Rennie named a 44-man squad for the trip, with Savea set to join the group later after being granted an extended break following an extraordinary run of rugby over the past 18 months. While the move is only temporary, it means the All B…

Dave Rennie: Why Ardie Savea will arrive late in South Africa and who will be the All Blacks' stand-in tour captain

Dave Rennie has explained why Ardie Savea will join the All Blacks squad in South Africa at a later date and revealed who will be the tour captain in the meantime.

Why the All Blacks were forced into 'obvious' call to leave Ardie Savea home

All Blacks captain Ardie Savea will miss the early stages of the tour to South Africa with Rennie and his coaching team making a strategic decision to leave him home.