Scott Barrett will succeed Sam Cane as All Blacks captain, with his main rival for the role, Ardie Savea, and brother Jordie selected as vice-captains by new head coach Scott Robertson.
Barrett's recognition brings to an end months of speculation, and while Savea's vice-captaincy role is not necessarily a surprise, Jordie's is and it underlines the 27-year-old's growing importance in the midfield.
The other main talking point of Robertson's 32-man squad for next month's three Tests is the addition of five uncapped players, including Hurricanes prop Pasilio Tosi, a genuine bolter who few saw coming.
The 25-year-old Tosi, a No.8 before his Invercargill Marist club team turned him into a prop several years ago, joins Hurricanes teammate and midfielder Billy Proctor, Crusaders hooker George Bell, Chiefs No.8 Wallace Sititi, and Chiefs halfback Cortez Ratima as newcomers.
There is no room for Blues loose forward Hoskins Sotutu or Chiefs outside backs Shaun Stevenson and Etene Nanai-Seturo.
Blues lock Sam Darry, Hurricanes outside back Ruben Love and the Crusaders pair of prop George Bower and midfielder David Havili will also assemble with the squad as cover.
Robertson and his assistants have named only three locks - skipper Barrett, Patrick Tuipulotu and Tupou Vaa'i.
The All Blacks play two Tests against England in Dunedin and Auckland, and one against Fiji in San Diego.
Scott Barrett, 30, will become the 81st man to captain the All Blacks in a Test and said it was a humbling experience.
“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. It’s a big responsibility, but I have two great leaders beside me in Ardie and Jordie, and I know we’ll have the full backing of the coaches,” Barrett said.
Robertson said his long-standing relationship with Scott Barrett was a factor in his choice of captain.
“There are some great leaders in our group, but having that existing connection to Scott was important. He’s tactically astute, he leads from the front, and he’s got the respect of the players and coaches. Leadership is a shared responsibility and Ardie, Jordie and our wider leadership group will be crucial to how we come together and connect ahead of the first Test against England.
“As a coaching group, we are excited about the squad we’ve selected. We know it’s a group that can play the style of rugby we want the All Blacks to play in 2024.”
Robertson also congratulated the five uncapped players in the squad. Sititi, 21, is the youngest player in the squad.
“It’s a proud moment for them and their families. They’ve earned their places through performance and consistency and it’s an exciting time in their careers. As coaches, we will get them ready so they can take their opportunity when it comes.”
The All Blacks squad will assemble in Wellington on Wednesday. The first Test against England under the roof in Dunedin is on July 6.
Cane, Will Jordan, Samisoni Taukei’aho and Cam Roigard were not considered due to injury.
Now that Robertson has named his squad, the intrigue will centre on his game-day selections, with Damian McKenzie likely at No.10 and Beauden Barrett at fullback.
The other is how the All Blacks will attack. Robertson believes the side became slightly predictable last year, although they almost triumphed on the biggest stage against all the odds.
The All Blacks were thrashed by South Africa in a World Cup warm-up game at Twickenham last year before losing their first ever pool match to France but almost won the thing despite playing with only 14 men for more than half the grand final, the Boks holding on to win 12-11.
All Blacks squad
Props: Tyrel Lomax, Ethan de Groot, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Fletcher Newell, Tamaiti Williams, Pasilio Tosi (uncapped).
Hookers: Codie Taylor, Asafo Aumua, George Bell (uncapped).
Locks: Scott Barrett (c), Tupou Vaa’i, Patrick Tuipulotu.
Loose forwards: Ardie Savea (vc), Dalton Papali’i, Luke Jacobson, Ethan Blackadder, Samipeni Finau, Wallace Sititi (uncapped).
Halfback: TJ Perenara, Cortez Ratima (uncapped), Finlay Christie.
First-fives: Damian McKenzie, Beauden Barrett.
Midfielders: Jordie Barrett (vc), Anton Lienert-Brown, Rieko Ioane, Billy Proctor (uncapped).
Outside backs: Stephen Perofeta, Caleb Clarke, Emoni Narawa, Sevu Reece, Mark Tele’a.
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