Scott Barrett has been named as New Zealand’s new rugby union captain before next month’s two-Test series against England. The All Blacks head coach, Scott Robertson, has also included five uncapped players in his first squad selection since taking over from Ian Foster.
Barrett, 30, has won the nod to lead the team ahead of Ardie Savea, the reigning world player of the year, who has been appointed as a vice-captain alongside Scott’s brother, Jordie. The former is well known to Robertson, his longtime coach at the Crusaders, and their existing connection appears to have tipped the balance. “There are some great leaders in our group but having that existing connection to Scott was important,” Robertson said.
“I’ve known him a long time. He’s a quiet leader and a deep thinker. He’s a starting lock, he’s extremely experienced and the players will follow him. He’s got a very good feel for the game in terms of making the right calls at the right time. He’s won a lot of big games and he’s always risen to the occasion in the All Black jersey.”
Robertson also seemed to suggest Savea’s game could benefit from handing the captaincy to someone else. “We talked at length about his role over the next four years. We had a conversation around the captaincy and how we could get the best out of him as a player and a leader. I believe the best captain for this group’s on-field management over the next four-year cycle was Scott.”
His other big selection call was choosing the uncapped Chiefs back-rower Wallace Sititi – “We believe Wallace is an incredible young talent,” Robertson said – ahead of the Blues number eight Hoskins Sotutu, who has enjoyed an outstanding season for the Super Rugby champions Auckland Blues. Cortez Ratima and George Bell have been named at scrum-half and hooker respectively while the giant Hurricanes prop Pasilio Tosi and his teammate Billy Proctor are the other uncapped players.
Forwards: Asafo Aumua, Codie Taylor, George Bell, Ethan De Groot, Tyrel Lomax, Fletcher Newell, Pasilio Tosi, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Tamaiti Williams, Scott Barrett, Tupou Vaa’i, Patrick Tuipulotu, Ethan Blackadder, Samipeni Finau, Luke Jacobson, Dalton Papali’i, Ardie Savea, Wallace Sititi; Backs: Finlay Christie, TJ Perenara, Cortez Ratima, Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie, Jordie Barrett, Rieko Ioane Anton Lienert-Brown, Billy Proctor, Caleb Clarke, Emoni Narawa, Stephen Perofeta, Sevu Reece, Mark Tele’a.
Damian McKenzie looks set to be the starting fly-half after Richie Mo’unga’s departure for Japan at the end of last year’s World Cup, with Beauden Barrett at full-back. The scrum-half TJ Perenara and lock Patrick Tuipulotu both return to the squad after missing the World Cup in France through injury. “As a coaching group we are excited about the squad we’ve selected,” Robertson said. “We know it’s a group that can play the style of rugby we want the All Blacks to play in 2024.”
The most striking aspect is the number of prominent missing names, with retirements, unavailability and injury having ruled out Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Sam Cane, Aaron Smith, Cam Roigard, Samisoni Taukei’aho and Mo’unga. Robertson has a strictly limited amount of time in which to prepare the side before their first Test against England in Dunedin on 6 July and expects a stern challenge from the visitors.
“You can see how they’ve evolved their game and they’ve got some great athletes out wide,” he said. “They’re definitely more attacking. It’s going to be a hell of a Test match.”
