Washington (AFP)

The second row Sam Whitelock will be the captain of the All Blacks during the fall tour which will see them play five test matches in the United States and then in Europe, including a last against France in Paris, announced the New Zealand coach of the forwards. Tuesday.

The experienced 33-year-old takes over from the captaincy to Ardie Savea, who acted as the usual armband bearer Sam Cane, during the last edition of the Rugby Championship won by New Zealand.

Like Cane, who was treating a pectoral injury, Whitelock missed this annual competition, which also included Australia, South Africa and Argentina, as he remained with his family for the birth of his third child.

“The great work that Savea did was recognized, especially as we won the Rugby Championship, it was fantastic. But it's also great to see Sam (Whitelock) bring his experience. It's good for the team to take over, ”forward coach John Plumtree said at a press briefing.

Like Whitelock, Cane will be returning to the All Blacks group for this tour, but Plumtree explained that the 3rd wing "just needs to focus on his physical condition".

"He has been absent for a long time. The additional burden of capturing the role of captain would not be a good thing for his game at the moment," he added, assuring, however, that he always remained so in the long run. , in the eyes of head coach Ian Foster.

New Zealand will face the United States on Saturday in Washington before going to challenge Wales in Cardiff on October 30.

A test match will follow against Italy in Rome on November 6, another against Ireland in Dublin on November 13, before a final against France in Paris on November 20.

The All Blacks' arrival in the United States coincided with the death of rising New Zealand rugby star Sean Wainui in a car crash on Monday.

“We were hit hard by this news. The boys who played with him at the Waikato Chiefs threw a little party for anyone who wanted to celebrate his memory. Everyone came and shared a few stories. good times, but it's a pretty tough start to the week, ”said Plumtree.

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