All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie has explained why the team’s former skipper Scott Barrett was overlooked for the captaincy for Saturday’s Test against Wales.

Although Barrett, who was New Zealand’s first-choice captain in 2024 and 2025, has been named to start at lock in the eagerly anticipated clash in Cardiff, Rennie opted for his older brother Beauden as his skipper.

It will be the first time the 148-Test utility back skippers his country at Test level and he takes over the leadership position from tour captain Codie Taylor, who was promoted to the role after Ardie Savea sustained a shoulder injury during Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series against South Africa.

Sidelined through injury earlier this year

The middle Barrett brother was sidelined with a back injury earlier this year and when Rennie took over the All Blacks’ coaching reins from Scott Robertson earlier this year, he appointed Savea as the team’s new skipper.

The second-row was recalled after recovering from his injury and delivered impressive performances in back-to-back victories over Australia as well as last weekend’s win over Scotland.

Although Rennie has been impressed with the experienced forward’s performances, he feels he does not need the burden of captaincy against Wales.

“I don’t think he needs the extra responsibility,” he said. “He’s performed exceptionally well. We talked a lot about him leading from outside the leadership group.

“He has a big say in our lineout in attack and defence. He’s going to be closer to the action than Beauden and we want him communicating with the referee where possible.

“We just don’t feel he needs the C next to his name and all the responsibility that goes with that.”

Although Rennie would not rule out that the 32-year-old could make a return as skipper in the future, he wants him to concentrate solely on his game.

“My thinking always is when he comes back in, just let him settle in and focus on himself,” Rennie said.

“He’s going to naturally lead because that’s a strength of his.”

The All Blacks boss revealed that he has been impressed by Barrett’s form since returning to action, and he expects a similar performance against Wales.

‘Trying not to burden him with any more responsibility’

“His work ethic and his brutality have been fantastic for us. We’re just trying not to burden him with any more responsibility,” he added.

“He’s playing well. So we’ll try and continue on with that.”

Meanwhile, Beauden Barrett has shone at full-back for New Zealand in their last three Tests after seeing no action during the Southern Hemisphere leg of the Nations Championship in July and having very little game-time in the All Blacks’ Test series against the Springboks.

Rennie believes the All Blacks captaincy is a fitting reward for the 35-year-old who showed plenty of resilience despite being on the outskirts of the Test side earlier this season.

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“He was struggling to get an opportunity. The quality of the man, he’s very much team-first and went out of his way to help others he was in competition with,” he said.

“He’s been a really strong contributor to the legacy. He’s got his opportunity and has played really well, and now gets an opportunity to lead his country.

“It’s a great story, but so deserving. He’s been awesome.”