All Blacks coach Dave Rennie: Captain Ardie Savea ready to let 'rip' against Springboks
With Ardie Savea back to lead the side alongside returning stars Will Jordan and Damian McKenzie, Dave Rennie is targeting a winning start to the four-Test tour.
All Blacks coach Dave Rennie is confident that captain Ardie Savea is ready to lead his team in giving the Springboks "first blood" in their upcoming Test match at Ellis Park on Saturday. Rennie acknowledges the significance of winning the opening Test of the Four Nations Rugby series, stating that it would "help" the All Blacks.
Both coaches recognize that the first Test is crucial for establishing momentum, and they believe the series will be a challenging tour. The return of key players Will Jordan, Cam Roigard, and Damian McKenzie, who have all recovered from injuries, provides a major boost to the All Blacks lineup. McKenzie will be the primary goal-kicker for the series.
Savea, the team captain, is also back in action after earning his 110th Test cap. His presence is a significant morale booster for the All Blacks, who will face a tough challenge against the Springboks. Rennie admits that final squad selection was difficult, with several talented players vying for spots. The coach highlighted the competition in the second-row between Patrick Tuipulotu, Sam Darry, and Tupou Vaa’i, emphasizing that the All Blacks plan to field a strong squad throughout the four-Test series.
Written by urgent.news from IOL's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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