Ardie Savea to lead New Zealand in Rugby Championship games against Argentina

New Zealand head coach Scott Robertson has named Ardie Savea as the skipper for the opening two rounds of the Rugby Championship against Argentina.

The decision follows after regular skipper Scott Barrett is unavailable due to a finger injury that he sustained during the game against Fiji and since then has undergone a surgery.

Savea already had captained the All Blacks in the past including the start of the Rugby World Cup last year when Sam Cane was injured.

With Savea's elevation to skipper role, Jordie Barrett and Codie Taylor were named vice-captains.

Meanwhile, New Zealand have called up Blues flyhalf Harry Plummer as a cover for Stephen Perofeta, who is recovering from a niggle.

"Harry has been really consistent with the Blues this year and he's really grown as a player," said Ryan.

"The boys have got a lot of confidence in him so he's come in and he's been seamless."

New Zealand will be hosting Argentina in the opening two rounds at Sky Stadium and Eden Park on 10th and 17th August respectively.