Bridge went on to ask if Savea would be rested this week.
“Um, no, he won’t,” Rennie replied. “Okay, there you go, that’s all I’m giving you.”
Dave Rennie (left) and Ardie Savea at All Blacks training. Photos / Photosport
The Herald’s Liam Napier reported this week that Savea “shook off a blow in the match day warm-up last weekend and cut a battered figure post-match”.
“As newly installed permanent captain he will want to lead every match but Italy – after losing 27-10 to Japan en route to Wellington – could be a prime opportunity to manage his workload.
“If Savea is rested, Codie Taylor or Jordie Barrett could assume the captaincy.”
After his first test in charge of the All Blacks, Rennie told Bridge he was comfortable with the pressure that comes with his new role.
“Yeah, I mean I’m aware of it, but you’ve got to embrace that. You know, I’m lucky I get to work with great people and a job that I love, so excited about it.”
Rennie said the attacking play displayed against France was “in our DNA”.
“It’ll come at times where we’ve got to get into an arm-wrestle and we’ve got to kick a little bit more based on situations. But the mindset is that if it’s on to play we want to play and we want to play a really high-tempo game. So opportunities to quick tap or throw the ball in quickly, you know, we’ll be looking for those.”