The All Black selectors have confirmed Hurricanes centre Tana Umaga as the new All Black captain for the 2004 season on Monday afternoon.

The trial teams for the Probables v Possible match at Eden Park on June 1 were released at 11 o'clock on Monday morning but there were no captains for either side listed.

But at the midday press conference All Black coach Graham Henry confirmed that Tana Umaga would lead the Probables and the All Blacks throughout their 2004 campaign.

It has ended specualtion over the appointment of the captain with a number of leading candidates having their names mooted in various places over the past six months following the failed World Cup late last year.

Crusaders captain and the incumbent All Blacks skipper Reuben Thorne was bracketed at blindside flanker with Jerry Collins in the Probables side but coach Henry told reporters that the selectors went with Umaga because he was guaranteed a starting place in the side while Thorne wasn't.

All three coaches - Henry along with Steve Hansen and Wayne Smith - flew to Christchurch on Monday morning to explain to Thorne that Umaga was to replace him as captain.

The Hurricanes star has yet to talk to Thorne but said he plans on doing so.

* More to follow.