Scott Robertson is finally under way as All Blacks coach, the 49-year-old making one massive call as he named a 32-man squad for Tests against England and Fiji next month.
While Robertson has included five potential debutants, the omission of Blues No. 8 Hoskins Sotutu is the main talking point after the back-rower produced a sensational season for the Super Rugby Pacific champions.
Sotutu was expected to return to Test action after being overlooked last year, but Robertson has instead opted for breakout Chiefs star Wallace Sititi as one of six back-rowers in his squad.
Sititi is joined in the group by the uncapped George Bell, Pasilio Tosi, Cortez Ratima and Billy Proctor.
Meanwhile, veteran lock Scott Barrett will replace Sam Cane as All Blacks captain, while his younger brother Jordie, and reigning World Rugby Player of the Year Ardie Savea, named as deputies.
“There are some great leaders in our group, but having that existing connection to Scott was important,” Robertson said. “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.”
Sotutu was the joint leading try-scorer in Super Rugby Pacific this season as the Blues finished second on the regular-season ladder, before going on to wallop the Chiefs 41-10 in Saturday’s night’s decider.
The No. 8 appeared to be relishing life under first-year Blues coach Vern Cotter, but he has lost out on a Test recall after Sititi finished the season with a flurry, particularly in the Chiefs’ semifinal win over the Hurricanes.
Elsewhere, there was no place for in-form Blues playmaker Harry Plummer, who has been overlooked for teammate Stephen Perofeta.
Plummer kicked a perfect seven from seven in the 33-point thumping of the Blues, but Perofeta’s versatility will see him provide cover for Damian McKenzie and Beauden Barrett.
Scott Barrett, meanwhile, said he was honoured to lead the All Blacks, the lock set to reprise the role he filled with the Crusaders under Robertson previously.
“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,” Barrett said.
“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.”
Forwards: Asafo Aumua, Codie Taylor, George Bell, Ethan De Groot, Tyrel Lomax, Fletcher Newell, Pasilio Tosi, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Tamaiti Williams, Scott Barrett (c), 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