All Blacks greats urge next head coach to remove ‘drained’ Scott Barrett as captain but Ardie Savea NOT Jeff Wilson’s preferred successor
Ardie Savea and Scott Barrett (inset) in action for the All Blacks in 2025.
Jeff Wilson and Mils Muliaina believe that the new All Blacks head coach should install a new captain after the struggles Scott Barrett endured.
One of Scott Robertson’s first acts when he was appointed was to choose the lock, who he worked with at the Crusaders, as skipper ahead of 2023 World Rugby Player of the Year Ardie Savea.
It was a big call and one that potentially backfired with questions often raised over Barrett’s leadership and also his form.
Some felt the second-row’s performances were not justifying his place and that proved to be a problem for Barrett and Robertson, who was sacked earlier this month following an underwhelming two years in charge.
Refinding his form
“It’s no doubt it was a real challenge and difficult for a number of reasons. He was injured, the team didn’t quite perform as well,” Wilson said on The Breakdown.
“I know he’s taking a non-playing sabbatical, taking a break out of Super Rugby which I really respect, and I’d love him to focus on being the best lock in the world.
“It was too much of a drain on him. It was just hard for him to focus on getting back to what he was as a player. It’s unlikely in ’26 that he’s the captain.”
Muliaina agreed with Wilson and pointed to the sabbatical which will count against Barrett retaining the All Blacks captaincy, with the lock sitting out the entirety of the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season.
“He was passionate. When you cut the cameras he was really passionate about that role. He’s a leader but… it drained him,” Muliaina said.
“That responsibility, everything that was going on and perhaps the environment and the review that’s come out.
“Also, he’s going to be off Super Rugby at a pivotal moment when a new coach is going to come in. It probably hindered his performance.
“If I look to the future right now, we need a leader where you don’t question his ability on the field. You have youngsters nipping at your heels, but you are the man going out there and the number one name.
“You’ve also got to have captain that is strategically on board. He’s going to come back a better player but now is the time a new coach is going to appoint someone else.”
Ardie Savea as captain? Ex-All Blacks manager claims leadership role ‘crushing’ Scott Barrett
With a new head coach set to come in, they will make a decision on the captaincy ahead of the Nations Championship which starts in July.
Savea will once again be one of the frontrunners, but Wilson believes that he should be overlooked for another experienced forward.
Wilson’s preference over Savea
“He is an influential All Black… but one of the things I love to see Ardie be is the very best seven or the very best number eight in the world, and be that on a consistent basis,” he said.
“There are a few things I look at and I wrote down characteristics. I want guys who are clearly experienced, someone who is world-class in their position, they’re loyal, they have this will and have sacrifice and they have mana, and I think Codie Taylor has all of those things.
“He himself has taken a non-playing sabbatical, stayed in New Zealand to get himself in the right space, he’s put everything you possibly could into the All Black jersey.
“He’s incredibly well respected, both on and off the field, and I would love to see Codie Taylor get the opportunity because I think he will bring the whole group together.
“Ardie’s clearly going to be in the conversation… but I’m all about putting the All Black jersey first, that’s it, and for me he fits the bill.”
Muliaina also sees those qualities in Taylor and reckons this is the ideal time for the hooker to take over the role.
“I agree. The captain is one of the most important things the All Blacks need right here right now given what’s gone on over the last couple of years,” he said.
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“When you look at a Codie Taylor, he’s going to start. The most important part now is your leadership group, you’ve got to get a really good connection in terms of what your leadership group is.
“There were moments there when they weren’t connected. Codie Taylor’s a great leader but he’s also resilient, he’s gone through a lot of the hurt and form slumps.”
The only person on the panel to back Savea was ex-All Blacks back-row Steve Bates, who said: “I do like Ardie and I think he would really bring a team together.”
