All Blacks squad: Dave Rennie axes Rieko Ioane, selects four bolters and names new captain for 2026
All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie and axed back Rieko Ioane.
Dave Rennie has named his All Blacks squad for the Nations Championship with Ardie Savea selected as the person chosen to lead the country.
The back-rower, who has spent the season in Japan, has been picked over the likes of Codie Taylor as New Zealand’s skipper.
Savea is one of six loose forwards in the group with Anton Segner’s inclusion one of the big headlines from Rennie’s first announcement.
German-born, Segner moved to the southern hemisphere as a teenager and has impressed in a struggling Blues side during the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific campaign.
Four newbies
Segner is one of four bolters named, with prop Xavier Numia, Josh Moorby and Fehi Fineanganofo the other three.
That trio have been in superb form for the title winners and have forced their way into contention over the recent campaign, although the latter’s selection is perhaps surprising.
Fineanganofo has signed a deal with Newcastle Red Bulls and becomes an extremely rare case of someone who has committed to going overseas being included in an All Blacks squad.
However, there have been rumours that various bigwigs in New Zealand are working behind the scenes in order to get him to stay.
“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. We look forward to connecting on Wednesday in preparation for three big tests against France Italy and Ireland,” Rennie said.
“Special congratulations must go to our four uncapped players. These men have each had an outstanding Super Rugby season and fully deserve their place in the squad. It will be a massively proud time for their families, friends and team mates.
“Congratulations also to our new All Blacks captain, Ardie Savea, who we know will do an outstanding job of leading this team on and off-field. Ardie is highly respected by his team mates and cares deeply about the black jersey.”
Ioane omission
There are some notable omissions, with Rieko Ioane the biggest name to miss out. Ioane, who has earned 88 caps, has spent the season at Leinster but the centre or wing has struggled to excel in Ireland.
He certainly improved towards the end of his stint, but the general consensus was that the 29-year-old was an underwhelming signing for the Dublin-based outfit.
Ioane will therefore miss the All Blacks’ Nations Championship games against France, Italy and Ireland.
Savea will lead them into those three games having missed out on the captaincy to Scott Barrett when Scott Robertson took charge.
“To serve this team, its people and its fans is one of the greatest honours in sport. I believe this role is about empowering everyone in the group to be the best that they can be – from the leadership, to the players and wider staff,” the new skipper said.
“A united All Blacks team has the power to unite a nation. And we are going to need all five million Kiwis to get in behind us as we walk towards the challenges that are waiting for us over the next 16 months.
“We pay tribute to those who have gone before us while also acknowledging that the responsibility of writing the next chapter in the All Blacks story lies with us. Let’s get to work.
“A special thank you to my wife Saskia and our three children Kobe, Keeon and Kove. The same to our parents, our extended family and friends. We are blessed to have a ‘village’ that walks alongside us.”
David Havili and Ethan Blackadder are two more experienced players who will be devastated to miss the cut, while Du’Plessis Kirifi, Ollie Norris, Timoci Tavatavanawai and Christian Lio-Willie could also consider themselves unfortunate.
Major stars MISSING as France announce provisional Nations Championship squad
All Blacks squad for Nations Championship
Forwards: Asafo Aumua, Codie Taylor, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Ethan De Groot, George Bower, Xavier Numia, Tyrel Lomax, Fletcher Newell, Pasilio Tosi, Tupou Vaa’i, Patrick Tuipulotu, Josh Lord, Sam Darry, Peter Lakai, Simon Parker, Ardie Savea (c), Wallace Sititi, Luke Jacobson, Anton Segner
Backs: Cameron Roigard, Cortez Ratima, Kyle Preston, Ruben Love, Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie, Jordie Barrett, Quinn Tupaea, Billy Proctor, Anton Lienert-Brown, Caleb Clarke, Fehi Fineanganofo, Leroy Carter, Josh Moorby, Will Jordan
