Scott Robertson doubles down on All Blacks captaincy

All Blacks coach Scott Roberston has hailed new captain Scott Barrett as a “winner” after some surprise or debate among fans over whether defender Ardie Savea should have been given the role on a full-time basis.

Last month, current captain Sam Cane revealed that 2024 would be the flanker’s final year as an All Blacks after he signed a three-year contract with Suntory Sungoliath in Japan. This decision made the Rugby World Cup winner ineligible for national selection from 2025.

The 95-Test veteran, who became the first man to receive a red card in a Rugby World Cup final last October, offered his support to New Zealand’s new captain after explaining that he had spent “his time” in the highly regarded position.

Both Dalton Papali’i and TJ Perenara have publicly backed reigning World Rugby Player of the Year Ardi Savea, who took the hot seat after repeatedly leading the players wearing black under former coach Ian Foster. It seemed like most fans shared this view as well.

But when the All Blacks’ first squad of the year was unveiled in Christchurch on Monday night, new coach Scott Robertson announced that Scott Barrett would replace Cane. Although some question Barrett’s disciplinary record, Robertson doubled down on the nominations.

“He’s aware of that, whether he’s captain or not – he’s dealt with a lot of problems. He is a tight forward who will live on the edge. The physicality and brutality of international rugby, if you’re slightly wrong, you’re wrong,” Robertson said on Scotty and Izzy from SENZ.

“He’s matured, he understands, he’s taken it upon himself, he’s done some work on the mental side. You just have to trust someone.

“He’s a winner,” he added. “We’ve had so much success over the years that he knows how to push a team to the edge.”

The All Blacks will officially begin a new era under coach ‘Razor’ Robertson next weekend when they host England in the first of two Tests on New Zealand soil. New Zealand will also face Fiji in an intriguing match in San Diego, USA.

This squad that Robertson and the rest of the All Blacks coaching staff have selected boasts a wealth of talent and experience and includes five uncapped players. Of the five uncapped players, one of the biggest surprises is backline player Wallace Sititi.

Sititi, 21, made his debut for Chiefs in Super Rugby Pacific this year when they faced the Reds at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane in Round 3. The loose forward came off the bench again in Round 5 and has since started at No.8 in five consecutive appearances.

The Chiefs player has made nine starts in the race to the Grand Final at Eden Park, including a standout Man of the Match performance in a clinical semi-final win over the Hurricanes at Wellington’s Sky Stadium.

“He just kind of rose up with those performances – he just rose up. In the quarter-finals we thought, ‘Wow! He’s really quick in the lineout,'” Robertson added.

“Just his character and how resilient he is. He can just get up, work in behind the ball and (he) volunteers to make the difficult passes.”

Sititi looks set to make his debut next month after being named as one of six loose forwards. Vice-captain Ardie Savea, Ethan Blackadder, Samipeni Finau, Luke Jacobson and Dalton Papali’i are the other defenders in the squad.

There was no place for Hoskins Sotutu, the Blues’ No. 8. Sotutu had an MVP-style season with the eventual champions, but it wasn’t enough to see the back-rower in the 32-man squad.

“For me and the whole team, especially the forwards at Test level, the most important thing is to perform well at both ends of the pitch,” explained Robertson.

“A lot of loose forwards can play in two or three positions. Many of them perform well on breakdowns, defensive triples and near the touchline.

“They are good leaders. “Luke (Jacobson) has been exceptional for Chiefs this year – he has been consistent and disciplined for the most part, as well as performing at the highest level.”