Ardie Savea will lead the All Blacks for the remainder of the France series after captain Scott Barrett was ruled out of the final two tests with a calf injury.
The All Blacks confirmed Barrett’s absence for the second test in Wellington this Saturday and the third test in Hamilton the following weekend after scans revealed he had torn a calf muscle.
No replacement has been sought from outside the current squad as yet but uncapped Chiefs lock Naitoa Ah Kuoi has been in training.
Savea is one of the All Blacks’ two official vice captains along with second five-eighth Jordie Barrett but he has captained his country on several occasions before, including in the two tests against Argentina in Wellington and Auckland last year.
Patrick Tuipulotu looms as the obvious contender to replace Barrett in the second row, though the All Blacks could also return lock Tupou Vaa’i back to his preferred position after starting the first test at blindside flanker.
The All Blacks don’t have a great record in Wellington.
They have only tasted victory once at Sky Stadium since beating France 26-13 in 2018.
The All Blacks play France at 7.05pm Saturday at Sky Stadium, Wellington.
Source: Stuff.co
