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After 152 appearances and 148 tests for All black peopleexperienced playmaker Beauden Barrett will lead the national team for only the second time Wales this weekend at the Principality Stadium.
Barrett captained the All Blacks in the midweek match against Barbarians in 2017, but has never done so in a Test, so Rennie has picked him ahead of former captain and brother Scott, who is starting his fourth consecutive Test match.
Dave Rennie opted for a mix of experience and new faces to take on Wales at the Principality Stadium, making ten changes to the team that won 43-21. Scotland in Murrayfield.
The two Barrett brothers remain in the starting line-up, while Jordie, who suffered concussion in the second half against Scotland, will be rested up front England at Twickenham next week.
When asked why Beauden was chosen to captain Wales, Rennie described the playmaker’s impact as “impressive”.
“Yeh look, I am spoken a a lot Fr Beauden, only a really impressive character. It was difficult for him early he; he was fighting that get an opportunity, and only the quality of the man, very a lot team–first, gone out of his way that help others WHO he competes with,” Rennie said in Cardiff.
“Obviously, his experience and time in a jersey only made it a really, I guess strong associate that the legacy and building he that. So he is apparently Got his opportunity, played really well, and now gets an opportunity that lead this earth, so
“It is a great story, but so deserving. He is was great.”
Scott, who will play in his 93rd Test match, returned to the All Blacks line-up and failed to miss a beat, which Rennie admitted was the main reason his older brother was given the captaincy.
“I only don’t think about it he (Scott) needs the extra responsibility. He is performed exceptionally well, as you guys would know, and so we talked a a lot Fr him leading of outside the leadership group.
“We are Got a number of our leadership group no playing this week, so we are brought him into that group that to make for sure we are aligned, but he there is a big say in our line, attack and defense.
“He is it goes that to be closer that the action and so we I want him communicating with a the judge where possible. But we only don’t to feel that he needs that to have the C next that his name and everything the responsibility that it goes with that.
“Beauden is a a long time way out the back. No always ideal of a 15–period of view, but yes, we are confident he is the right man for the business.”
The 62-year-old All Blacks head coach explained that the lock will continue to lead his actions despite not having the captain’s armband, at least for now.
“well, I means. at this the stage anyway (doesn’t count for captain). I think about it mine thinking always also when he is coming back in is only let him calm down in and focus he yourself.
“He is it goes that naturally lead because it is a strength of his. BTue he is was very a lot a to follow–me. He is was demanding and challenging at training, which there is was great, and only his work ethics and his brutality to have was fantastic for us.
“Wthere are only I’m trying no that cargo him with any more responsibility, because he is playing good. So we will try it and continue with that.”
