{
  "id": 10590780,
  "title": "Codie Taylor to lead New Zealand All Blacks in rugby's Bledisloe Cup despite Scott Barrett's return",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/29/codie-taylor-to-lead-new-zealand-all-blacks-in-rugbys-bledisloe-cup",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-29T02:37:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/codie-taylor-lead-zealand-blacks-023701996.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Hooker Codie Taylor will guide New Zealand's rugby team, the All Blacks, in the upcoming Bledisloe Cup series against Australia. The squad was announced on Tuesday, with Taylor replacing Ardie Savea, who is out due to shoulder surgery. Former captain Scott Barrett has also been recalled to the team after playing a limited amount of rugby all year following back surgery. Barrett joins his brothers Beauden and Jordie in the All Blacks lineup.\n\nIn addition to Taylor, new calls have been made to bolster the backrow: Shannon Frizell has returned to the team after a three-year absence, while Luke Jacobson and Caleb Clarke are sidelined for the duration of the season. The All Blacks will be without flyhalf Ruben Love (ankle), lock Patrick Tuipulotu (calf), centers Anton Lienert-Brown (knee) and Billy Proctor (shoulder), and prop Ollie Norris (knee) for the series.\n\nIn Love's place, Beauden Barrett, Richie Mo unga, Damian McKenzie, and uncapped Josh Jacomb will compete for the No. 10 jersey, with McKenzie potentially securing the fullback position. The All Blacks recently concluded a grueling four-test series against South Africa, winning 3-1.\n\nHead coach Dave Rennie highlighted the positive impact of the tour, stating that it provided valuable playing time for several players. He also praised Taylor's leadership, emphasizing his importance to the team during the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry tour. The All Blacks will be aiming to defend their 53-test winning streak at Eden Park, the venue where they have held the Bledisloe Cup since 2003.",
  "summary": "Hooker Codie Taylor will lead New Zealand in its two-test Bledisloe Cup series against Australia next month, and former captain Scott Barrett has been recalled after playing barely an hour of rugby all year. Taylor was selected captain of the 34-strong All Blacks squad announced Tuesday for tests against the Wallabies in Auckland on Oct. 10 and Sydney on Oct. 17 in place of Ardie Savea, who is…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "Codie Taylor to lead New Zealand All Blacks in rugby’s Bledisloe Cup despite Scott Barrett’s return",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/29/codie-taylor-to-lead-new-zealand-all-blacks-in-rugbys-bledisloe-cup-10591108",
        "published": "2026-09-29T02:40:20.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}