SBW Speaks Out: “Give Ardie the Captaincy” – Sonny Bill Williams Calls for Culture Shift After Razor’s Sacking
By Lions Roar News Sports Desk
AUCKLAND, NZ (Saturday, January 17, 2026) — The fallout from Scott Robertson’s shock dismissal as All Blacks head coach continues to reverberate, with dual-code legend Sonny Bill Williams (SBW) now weighing in. In a candid social media address, Williams argued that changing the coach is only the first step—and that a change in leadership on the field must follow.
Speaking from Sydney, the two-time Rugby World Cup winner and NRL champion called for a bold move: stripping Scott Barrett of the captaincy in favor of loose forward powerhouse Ardie Savea.
🏉 “Ardie is Our Guy”
While Williams was careful to show respect to current skipper Scott Barrett, he insisted that Savea is the natural leader for the “new era” of New Zealand rugby.
- The Mana Factor: “I love Scott Barrett… but I think we need to give the captaincy to Ardie,” Williams said via Instagram. “He’s our guy moving forward, just because of the mana he brings. He’s got the runs on the board.”
- Proven Success: SBW pointed to Savea’s recent stint with Moana Pasifika as evidence of his leadership capabilities. “Look at what he’s done with Moana this year.”
🧬 “Connect Before Correcting”
Williams, who played 58 tests for the All Blacks, believes the next coaching group needs to prioritize human connection over tactical drilling. He argued that at the international level, players already have the skills; they need a reason to “run through a brick wall.”
“I think we need a coaching group that knows how to connect before correcting. Because these players know how to play and we do have the squad.” — Sonny Bill Williams
SBW put forward a “shortlist” of potential successors to Robertson, including:
- Jamie Joseph & Tony Brown
- Dave Rennie
- Tana Umaga
🌍 A Call for “More Flavour”
Reiterating a point he famously made after the 2019 World Cup, Williams called for more diversity within the NZ Rugby (NZR) administration and coaching staff. He stood by his previous comments that the All Blacks need “more brown faces” at the top level to reflect the makeup of the squad.
“I know that rubbed up a few people, but that’s my honest opinion. Why? Because I’m a big believer that in order to correct, you must connect,” he said, adding that “more flavour” is essential to getting the best out of the modern player.
📅 The Road Ahead
The All Blacks are currently rudderless as they approach a brutal 2025/2026 schedule. They are set to face:
- France & Ireland: A high-stakes home series in July.
- The Springboks: A grueling four-test series against the back-to-back World Champions in South Africa.
