The All Blacks will name another skipper after leaving two recent captains out of the initial squad for the Rugby Championship and the end of year tour to the US and Europe.
They have also selected just one first-five in the 35-man group.
Codie Taylor. Photo: Photosport
With Richie Mo'unga staying home for the birth of his child, Beauden Barrett is the only number 10 in the group that leaves for Perth today.
Captain and centurion lock Sam Whitelock, filling in for Sam Cane, and veteran halfback Aaron Smith are also remaining in New Zealand due to the imminent arrivals of their respective babies.
All three will link up with the team at a later date.
Damian McKenzie, TJ Perenara and Jordie Barrett are among the players likely to provide backup at first-five.
A new captain is yet to be named, though Codie Taylor has been touted as a likely replacement.
Foster said a decision has been made, though he wouldn't reveal it.
"To be honest, we're pretty clear.
"But over the last couple of days, as we got certainty of the squad, who was coming and the family situations, we decided to leave our leaders to have a couple of days of grace and just to enjoy being at home.
"They've done a fantastic job behind the scenes, getting the squad ready to go.
"We've got plenty of time now with the Sunday test match - when we get over there we've got three or four days to really acclimatise, get used to contact. Part of that process tomorrow will be to sit down with our leadership group and just sort through the structure we're going to operate in the short term.
"We'll let you guys know as soon as we can."
The All Blacks are up to their fourth captain this year.
The team left for Perth without any of the players who have been captain so far in 2021.
Foster said he was waiting until the team was settled in Australia before making the anouncement.
"It's been an eventful 12 months with captains, hasn't it?
"Sam Cane initially and then his injury, and then Sam Whitelock's come in and he's done a fantastic job.
"We've also had Aaron Smith this year, when Sammy wasn't playing earlier in the year, and now Aaron's not there. It has, I guess, tested our depth in that regard.
"But we've got a lot of confidence in our leadership plan, the work done by Gilbert [Enoka, mental skills coach] with our leaders and that programme's been outstanding the last 12 months.
"We know who we want, we just want to get over to Perth and, I guess, create some energy by having those conversations once we're over there."
Loose forward Shannon Frizell, who recently offered diversion on assault charges relating to an incident in May this year in Dunedin, has not been named in the squad.
"It's related to his visa access into Australia. Clearly he's still got aspects to work through with regards to his court case and we're confident he will. But, in the meantime he's got some things to do with that."
The All Blacks play the final Bledisloe Cup/Rugby Championship test in Perth next weekend, before relocating to Queensland for four Rugby Championship games against the Sprinboks and Argentina.
Foster confirmed the Perth test will be played on Sunday, 5 September.
Injured hooker Dane Coles isn't in the squad but is expected to join the side later in the Rugby Championship campaign.
However props Joe Moody and Ofa Tuungafasi, both returning from injury, have been included, as has midfielder Braydon Ennor.
Foster said leaving the three expectant fathers and Coles in Aotearoa was the right decision, despite not knowing when the trio might re-join the team.
"It was difficult from a sense there's no one not coming on this trip who opted out for any other reason ... in Colesy's case it's injury, for Sam, Nuggy (Smith and Richie it's babies. So we're massively supportive of the decisions they made for their families, and I know the team is 100 percent behind them.
"And I know they're willing and committed to do what they can in the meantime behind the scenes to help the team prepare, and are very keen to jump on a plane as soon as they can.
"It's been difficult saying goodbye. But the reality is that's what we have to do in these times. The fact that what normally would mean people missing one test is now three or four has just complicated the whole issue. But the solution is pretty simple."
Foster described the 12-week trip as a "tour like no other".
"We'll be playing ten Tests in 12 weeks in both the southern and northern hemispheres, and with Covid-19 travel and quarantine restrictions, this will be a tour like no other for us in the professional era. We can't wait to get underway and once again represent our country on the world stage," Foster said.
The All Blacks initial travelling squad is as follows:
Forwards:
Hookers: Asafo Aumua, Samisoni Taukei'aho and Codie Taylor.
Props: George Bower, Ethan de Groot, Nepo Laulala, Tyrel Lomax, Joe Moody, Angus Ta'avao, Karl Tu'inukuafe and Ofa Tuungafasi.
Locks: Scott Barrett, Brodie Retallick, Patrick Tuipulotu and Tupou Vaa'i.
Loose forwards: Ethan Blackadder, Akira Ioane, Luke Jacobson, Dalton Papalii, Ardie Savea and Hoskins Sotutu.
Backs:
Halfbacks: Finlay Christie, TJ Perenara and Brad Weber.
First five-eighths: Beauden Barrett.
Midfielders: Braydon Ennor, David Havili, Rieko Ioane, Anton Lienert-Brown and Quinn Tupaea.
Outside backs: Jordie Barrett, George Bridge, Will Jordan, Damian McKenzie and Sevu Reece.
