All Blacks name Scott Barrett as new captain

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. Cane was not considered for the squad because of injury.

Robertson made loose forward and 2023 world player of the year Ardie Savea his vice-captain along with Barrett's brother, the centre Jordie.

"I'm hugely honoured and grateful for the opportunity," the 30-year-old Scott 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."

Barrett made his Test debut in 2016 in a 40-29 defeat to Ireland in Chicago.

He has shown his versatility since, making 69 Test appearances as either a lock or loose forward.

The son of former Hurricanes forward Kevin Barrett, the new All Blacks captain was brought up as one of eight siblings on a family farm.

There are three Barrett siblings in the squad, with elder brother Beauden - the 2016 and 2017 world player of the year - the other.

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

The new faces are Crusaders hooker George Bell, Waikato Chiefs scrumhalf Cortez Ratima and No 8 Wallace Sititi, along with 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.

Our newest captain ??Congratulations Scott Barrett ??#AllBlacks pic.twitter.com/k5RScXKGDC

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