Dave Rennie wasted no time signalling change. Naming his first All Blacks squad in Feilding on Monday, the new head coach handed the captaincy to Ardie Savea, blooded four uncapped players and left out experienced midfielder Rieko Ioane — a 34-man group built, in his words, for "optimism and brutality."
The squad gathers in Auckland on Wednesday before opening the new Nations Championship against France in Christchurch on 4 July, with further home Tests against Italy and Ireland to follow.
"We are rapt with this squad — players with the ability to bar up to the demands of test footy but also play with optimism and brutality," Rennie said. "We look forward to connecting on Wednesday in preparation for three big tests against France, Italy and Ireland."
Savea, a 106-Test veteran, succeeds the injured Scott Barrett as skipper. The loose forward spent two of the past three seasons playing under Rennie at Kobe Steelers in Japan's League One, where he won a championship this year. With Barrett sidelined by a back problem, Savea was the obvious choice to lead a side already looking towards the 2027 World Cup in Australia.
The four uncapped call-ups are headlined by Hurricanes wing Fehi Fineanganofo, who shared the Super Rugby Pacific try-scoring record this season with team-mate Josh Moorby — also named — on 17 apiece. Fellow Hurricane Xavier Numia, a prop, and German-born Blues flanker Anton Segner complete the group of newcomers.
Fineanganofo's selection is the most eye-catching. In January the 23-year-old signed a two-year deal with English club Newcastle, due to start in December — circumstances that usually rule a player out of All Blacks contention. Rennie made an exception.
"What we know is that he is contracted here until November. His form has been irresistible and we are keen to name him," Rennie told Sky Sport, adding that the winger would work through the Newcastle situation in time.
The decision to drop Ioane drew most of the attention. The outside back ended a sabbatical with Irish province Leinster by scoring in the United Rugby Championship final win over the Bulls on Sunday, but found no place in the squad. Predecessor Scott Robertson had stood by Ioane through fluctuating form; Rennie has not.
"Obviously Rieks is still in Ireland," Rennie told Sky Sport. "We had a conversation with him and guys like Du'Plessis [Kirifi] this morning. They are really disappointed, they want to be a part of it."
He left the door ajar, noting that the squad to tour South Africa later in the year will be expanded. "His versatility means he is a strong chance to go there," Rennie said of Ioane.
The omission of Hurricanes flanker Du'Plessis Kirifi, fresh off the best season of his career, split opinion. Speaking on Sky Sport NZ's The Breakdown, Parsons said Kirifi could not have done any more: "There's no way he could have played any better, like statistically and visually. It's the best season he's had, and I think as a leader he's been exceptional as well."
Former All Black Jeff Wilson framed it as a balance call, suggesting the extra loose-forward role off the bench has "never been a specialist" position and is built for cover. He still expects Kirifi to feature later in the year. "Everyone knows I'm a fan of the way Du'Plessis Kirifi leads and plays, and I have no doubt he'll be a part of that trip to South Africa," Wilson said.
Rennie, promoted after Robertson was sacked following two seasons in charge, named veteran playmakers Beauden Barrett and Damian McKenzie alongside rising Hurricanes first-five Ruben Love. Several players carrying injuries — including fullback Will Jordan (calf) and flanker Wallace Sititi (concussion) — were included, while Barrett, Tamaiti Williams, Leicester Fainga'anuku and lock Fabian Holland were ruled out.
