The battle for the number 10 shirt for the All Blacks' final Test of the year was between Barrett, Dan Carter and Aaron Cruden.
But Barrett was named in the position by coach Steve Hansen on Thursday.
The team is an experienced one for the All Blacks, who travel to the Millennium Stadium with McCaw reaching another milestone.
Hansen praised McCaw and described the 33-year-old as one of the greatest leaders of all-time.
"On behalf of the team and myself, we would like to congratulate Richie on the impressive milestone of captaining his country in 100 Test matches," Hansen said.
"There is no doubt his leadership has grown phenomenally over the years and he is now one of the all-time great leaders of any sports team."
Carter has missed out on the squad altogether, while Ben Smith is at full-back ahead of Israel Dagg.
Only Smith, McCaw and Charles Piutau started in the All Blacks' 24-16 win over Scotland in Edinburgh.
New Zealand: 1. Wyatt Crockett, 2. Dane Coles, 3. Owen Franks, 4. Brodie Retallick, 5. Samuel Whitelock, 6. Jerome Kaino, 7. Richie McCaw (c), 8. Kieran Read, 9. Aaron Smith, 10. Beauden Barrett, 11. Julian Savea, 12. Sonny Bill Williams, 13. Conrad Smith, 14. Charles Piutau, 15. Ben Smith.
Reserves: 16. Keven Mealamu, 17. Joe Moody, 18. Charlie Faumuina, 19. Patrick Tuipulotu, 20. Liam Messam, 21. TJ Perenara, 22. Colin Slade, 23. Ryan Crotty.