Ardie Savea will lead New Zealand in the inaugural Nations Championship after being named captain of Dave Rennie’s first All Blacks squad.
Rennie was installed as head coach at the start of the year and has appointed Savea as skipper in the absence of lock Scott Barrett, who captained the side under Scott Robertson.
Barrett will miss the Nations Championship games against France, Italy and Ireland in July due to injury, though brothers Beauden and Jordie are named in a 34-man squad that includes four potential debutants.
Among them is wing Fehi Fineanganofo, who broke the Super Rugby Pacific try-scoring record as the Hurricanes romped to final victory over the Chiefs on Saturday – but is due to join the Newcastle Red Bulls in the Gallagher Prem next season.
German-born back rower Anton Segner is another intriguing uncapped inclusion, with athletic Hurricanes prop Xavier Numia and versatile club colleague Josh Moorby completing the quartet.
“To serve this team, its people and its fans is one of the greatest honours in sport,” Savea said after his appointment as captain.
“I believe this role is about empowering everyone in the group to be the best that they can be – from the leadership, to the players and wider staff.
“We pay tribute to those who have gone before us while also acknowledging that the responsibility of writing the next chapter in the All Blacks story lies with us.”
Prop Tamaiti Williams, lock Fabian Holland and Leicester Fainga’anuku – who has played both on the flank and in the backline for the Crusaders recently – joined Barrett in being unavailable for selection.
New Zealand begin a busy international schedule against France on 4 July, and also take on South Africa in a four-Test series later in the year.
