Scott Barrett to captain All Blacks in England, Fiji tests

:New Zealand coach Scott Robertson named Scott Barrett as captain for tests against England and Fiji in July and included five uncapped players in his first All Blacks squad since taking over from Ian Foster.

Lock Barrett will have his centre brother Jordie and reigning World Player of the Year Ardie Savea to support him as vice-captains when New Zealand take on England in Dunedin and Auckland and the Fijians in San Diego.

"There are some great leaders in our group, but having that existing connection to Scott was important," said Robertson, who coached Barrett for seven years at the Canterbury Crusaders.

"He's tactically astute, he leads from the front, and he’s got the respect of the players and coaches."

Barrett is a certain starter for New Zealand but there was a question mark over his disciplinary record as the only All Black to have been sent off twice in tests.

"When you think of the leaders who have gone before you, it's quite humbling to be asked to captain the All Blacks, so it's not something I took lightly," the 30-year-old said.

"It’s a big responsibility, but I have two great leaders beside me in Ardie and Jordie."

Wallace Sititi earned the opportunity to win his first cap with a breakout season for the Waikato Chiefs but there was no place for his fellow number eight Hoskins Sotutu, who had an outstanding season for the Super Rugby champion Auckland Blues.

Injuries to Cam Roigard and Samisoni Taukei'aho have opened up opportunities for Cortez Ratima and George Bell to get into the squad at scrumhalf and hooker respectively, while prop Pasilio Tosi was perhaps the most surprising rookie selection.

Centre Billy Proctor was the fifth uncapped player named but his Wellington Hurricanes team mate Ruben Love, one of