Taylor Captains All Blacks as Frizell Returns for Bledisloe

Codie Taylor will captain the All Blacks in the two-test Bledisloe Cup series against Australia while regular captain Ardie Savea recovers from shoulder surgery. New Zealand named a 34-man squad that brings back Shannon Frizell for the first time since the 2023 Rugby World Cup after three seasons in Japan and Scott Barrett after back surgery and a sabbatical. Dave Rennie said Taylor has huge mana and that his leadership as tour captain during Rugby's Greatest Rivalry means he will do an outstanding job in Savea's absence. Taylor called leading the team a massive honour, thanked his whānau, and said the side is gutted Savea is not with them and will do everything to make him proud. Rennie said the Bledisloe Cup has been held since 2003 and is not taken for granted, with Australia a real challenge. He welcomed Barrett's experience and leadership and Frizell's test experience and physical impact. Ruben Love (ankle), Patrick Tuipulotu (calf), Luke Jacobson, Anton Lienert-Brown, Billy Proctor, Caleb Clarke and Ollie Norris are unavailable. Josh Jacomb is the sole uncapped player. The All Blacks assemble in Auckland on Sunday before the October 10 Eden Park test and the October 17 test in Sydney. No factual disputes were found in the available coverage.