SCOTT BARRETT WAS named captain of the All Blacks on Monday by head coach Scott Robertson, as he unveiled his first squad for a two-Test series against England next month.

Barrett takes over from Sam Cane, who stepped down having skippered New Zealand since 2020. Robertson made loose forward Ardie Savea, voted world player of 2023, and centre Jordie Barrett his vice-captains.

“I’m hugely honoured and grateful for the opportunity,” 30-year-old Barrett said at the squad unveiling in Christchurch.

“I’m excited about what’s ahead and understand it’s a huge job with a lot of pressure, but excited to see where this team is going.”

The lock steps up having made 69 Test appearances in the famous black shirt since his debut in 2016.

There are three Barrett siblings in the All Blacks squad, with elder brother Beauden also named.

Robertson, who has taken over as coach from Ian Foster, named five uncapped players in his 32-man squad.

The new faces are Canterbury Crusaders hooker George Bell, Waikato Chiefs scrum-half Cortez Ratima and No 8 Wallace Sititi, along with Wellington Hurricanes prop Pasilio Tosi and centre Billy Proctor.

New Zealand host England in Dunedin on 6 July, then at Auckland’s Eden Park a week later, before taking on Fiji in San Diego on 20 July.

Forwards (18)

Hookers

Asafo Aumua

Codie Taylor

George Bell

Props

Ethan De Groot

Tyrel Lomax

Fletcher Newell 

Pasilio Tosi

Ofa Tu’ungafasi

Tamaiti Williams

Locks
Scott Barrett — captain

Tupou Vaa’i 

Patrick Tuipulotu

Loose Forwards

Ethan Blackadder

Samipeni Finau

Luke Jacobson

Dalton Papali’i

Ardie Savea

Wallace Sititi

Backs (14)

Halfbacks

Finlay Christie

TJ Perenara

Cortez Ratima

First five-eighths

Beauden Barrett

Damian McKenzie

Midfielders

Jordie Barrett

Rieko Ioane
Anton Lienert-Brown

Billy Proctor

Outside backs

Caleb Clarke

Emoni Narawa

Stephen Perofeta 

Sevu Reece

Mark Tele’a

The All Blacks say Sam Cane, Will Jordan, Samisoni Taukei’aho and Cam Roigard were not considered due to injury.

– © AFP 2024