All Blacks v France: How Ardie Savea and Dave Rennie plan to reshape the All Blacks

Ardie Savea’s promotion to sit at the apex of the All Blacks by assuming the leadership mantle has been somewhat overshadowed by the start of the next, new coaching era. His captaincy tenure will, however, significantly shape the team’s latest reset.

Captaining the All Blacks is nothing new for Savea. In the past five years he’s stepped in many times when Sam Cane and Scott Barrett were absent through injury.

As far back as 2021 he led the All Blacks in successive matches against the world champion Springboks, winning the centenary match between the great rivals and losing the rematch, in the Covid-affected Tri-Nations in Australia.

Leading the All Blacks fulltime is a different beast, though. The burden, the pressure, the public and commercial demands, the on-field decisions, whether to chase tries or kick for goal, and dealings with referees are Savea’s to own each week.

As much as the All Blacks are now Dave Rennie’s team so, too, are they Savea’s to guide as the focal figurehead.

“Whenever I do get that privilege I don’t take it lightly,” Savea said as the All Blacks finished preparations for their season-opening test against France in Christchurch.

“This weekend I get another chance to do that. I’m really looking forward to it. I know it brings the best out in me so I’m relishing the challenge of rallying the group together as fast as we can and putting on a great performance on Saturday.”

Savea is a contrasting leader to those who recently went before him – someone who prefers to largely let his actions inspire. He has typically summoned his best performances when captaining the All Blacks, or any team for that matter.

Rennie spoke glowingly of Savea’s contribution when he captained Kobe in Japan for one game this season.

The same was true when he carried Moana Pasifika to the cusp of their maiden playoff appearance – and was named Super Rugby Pacific player of the year with two regular season rounds remaining – before joining Rennie in Japan.

Just as he was for Moana Pasifika, Savea could prove an inspiring presence for the All Blacks.

“I think of the leaders and captains who have had a huge impact on me. It’s making me feel seen; it’s giving me space to lead and opportunities to be my authentic self.

“For me it’s around encouraging and empowering my teammates and the people within this legacy to be better. Mainly better men and hopefully better players from that.”

Rennie’s first All Blacks squad features eight players with strong Pasifika heritage – from test rookies Xavier Numia and Fehi Fineanganofo to Wallace Sititi, Asafo Aumua, Peter Lakai, Caleb Clarke and Patrick Tuipulotu.

That theme continues to the overhauled management team where Rennie’s Cook Island ties make him the first Pasifika All Blacks head coach.

Former Moana head coach turned All Blacks defence mentor Fa’alogo Tana Umaga was also the first national captain of Pasifika heritage.

Embracing all cultures and traditions will, therefore, be a central element of the Rennie-Savea era.

“I grew up around serving my parents and the people in the community around me. That’s the thing I can do in this team; to serve my players, the people and the management and go from there,” Savea said.

As a test centurion and iconic figure, Savea’s rugby legacy is already entrenched. His term as permanent All Blacks captain, though, could mark the start of his final chapter in New Zealand rugby.

Savea turns 33 in October and may opt to cash in abroad as a highly desirable free agent beyond next year’s World Cup.

It’s a huge task in this highly competitive test rugby landscape where the top eight ranked nations now regularly knock each other over but if Savea can lead the All Blacks to his first World Cup triumph in Australia next year, such an achievement would propel him to the pantheon alongside Richie McCaw.

The path to that overarching goal takes its first steps this weekend.

Liam Napier is a Senior Sports Journalist and Rugby Correspondent for the New Zealand Herald. He is a co-host of the Rugby Direct podcast.