New All Blacks coach Scott Robertson has stuck with a captain he already knows well, revealing Crusaders lock Scott Barrett as the man to lead his first national team against England and Fiji next month.
Robertson has named five new caps among his 32 players, with prop Pasilio Tosi, hooker George Bell, loose forward Wallace Sititi, halfback Cortez Ratima and midfield Billy Proctor in line for their international debuts.
While Barrett will become the 81st player to carry the skipper's armband, Ardie Savea and Jordie Barrett have been designated his vice captains.
"There are some great leaders in our group, but having that existing connection to Scott was important," admitted Roberts. "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."
Bell gets his chance, after incumbent Samisoni Taukei'aho suffered an Achilles tendon injury during the Chiefs' Super Rugby Pacific semi-final win, while Tosi perhaps benefits from injury to in-form Hurricanes teammate Xavier Numia and a decision to pick a sixth prop, instead of a fourth lock.
"[Forwards coach] Jason Ryan fell in love with him pretty quickly," said Robertson. "It was like MAFS [Married at First Sight].
"He's an incredible athlete, who took his opportunity when Tyrell [Lomax] was out. He can start or come off the bench... he's a great kid and will do well in the black jersey."
Sititi is preferred over Blues No.8 Hoskins Sotutu and breakout Hurricanes performer Peter Lakai in an ultra-competitive loose forwards selection, while Ratima and Proctor are rewarded for their Super Rugby form throughout the season.
Among the outside backs, Stephen Perofeta's ability to cover first-five may have edged him ahead of Ruben Love.
Robertson acknowledges the loose forwards, where he played his own international rugby, presented the toughest decisions.
"That was the one that took the most time and right to the end," he said. "My big thing is for our loose forwards - and all our team - to be great on both sides of the ball, physically touch and mentally tough.
"That's why we selected the players we have and it's just the first squad of 32. There are always opportunities for others to play themselves in."
Love, lock Sam Darry, prop George Bower and midfielder David Havili will also assemble in camp as injury cover.
Props: Ethan de Groot, Lyrel Lomax, Fletcher Newell, Pasilio Tosi*, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Tamaiti Williams
Hookers: Asafo Aumua, George Bell*, Codie Taylor
Locks: Scott Barrett, Patrick Tuipulotu, Tupou Vaa'i
Loose forwards: Ethan Blackadder, Samipeni Finau, Luke Jacobson, Dalton Papali'i, Ardie Savea, Wallace Sititi*
Halfbacks: Finlay Christie, TJ Perenara, Cortez Ratima*
First-fives: Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie
Midfield: Jordie Barrett, Rieko Ioane, Anton Lienert-Brown, Billy Proctor*
Outside backs: Caleb Clarke, Emoni Narawa, Stephen Perofeta, Sevu Reece, Mark Tele'a
* new caps
