Johnson, the recently-appointed team manager, said: "Steve was the obvious choice. He is very well respected among the squad, an established international player and a very good leader.

"He is a model player the way he approaches the game and was a natural choice to lead the squad.

"But lots of other guys have a leadership influence on the team. I think people always put too much emphasis on who is the captain."

Vickery could return to action for Wasps in the Guinness Premiership final - should they qualify - but Johnson and Andrew felt it would be unwise to risk him in New Zealand.

''Phil is trying desperately hard to play again this season but we felt it wasn't the right call to go on an arduous tour,'' Johnson added.

''Simon Shaw has got a number of medical issues as you would imagine after a long career and long, long season. We felt it was best if he had a good off season and got himself in the best shape for another long season next year.

''It gives opportunities to other guys in that position to get into the number four shirt and establish themselves.

''If we come back from New Zealand with guys we know we can trust to play international rugby it puts us in a position of strength.''

The All Blacks have lost key players to the European club game - the likes of Carl Hayman, Luke McAlister and Chris Jack.

Johnson still expects a tough challenge but he is confident England can mount a serious challenge.

''It is as tough a tour as you will ever go on, going to New Zealand,'' he said.

''They have lost a lot of players but there never been a bad All Black team in the history of the game.

''They will have a few guys in there who weren't starters in previous seasons but they will all have international experience and they will be a formidable side.

''Performance is what it is all about. We feel the team we have got, the players we have got, if we go over and reach somewhere near our potential we will be very competitive.''

England fly to New Zealand on June 2 without Johnson, who is staying at home to be with his pregnant wife, with the Rugby Football Union's elite rugby director Rob Andrew taking on tour manager responsibilities.