Ten players with All Blacks experience have been named in the All Blacks XV squad, ahead of their two-match Northern Tour against Munster and Georgia next month.
The 29-strong squad was jointly selected by the All Blacks and All Blacks XV coaching groups, with the process led by respective head coaches Scott Robertson and Clayton McMillan.
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McMillan, who was in camp with the All Blacks ahead of their final Rugby Championship test in Wellington last month, was excited by the squad selected and was looking forward to the opportunity to showcase the skills of the team internationally.
“Congratulations to those selected, this is a special moment for the players and their whanau to represent their country.
“Every player will be looking to put their best foot forward in what will be two intense matches up north, in front of passionate fans. It’s great to have a mix of experience and emerging talent, with players rewarded for solid Super Rugby Pacific and provincial seasons.”
Robertson said having players with All Blacks experience alongside emerging talent was important.
“As an All Black coaching group, we are excited to see these players perform in a Northern Hemisphere environment, to test themselves against different playing styles and build cohesion quickly within the team.
"With both teams in the Northern Hemisphere at the same time, it’s a great chance for the talent who have worked so hard to be given this opportunity to gain experience and express themselves on the international stage.”
In the backs, Shaun Stevenson, Emoni Narawa, Dallas McLeod, Quinn Tupaea, Harry Plummer, Finlay Christie and Noah Hotham have appeared for the All Blacks, while in the pack, Hoskins Sotutu, Josh Lord and George Bell have full test caps.
McMillan will have former All Blacks Cory Jane, Jamie Mackintosh and David Hill as assistant coaches.
A small number of players from the All Blacks XV squad will travel early to Japan with the All Blacks to help with their preparation and gain additional experience in the All Blacks environment, before joining up with the All Blacks XV squad.
The All Blacks XV squad will depart for Ireland on October 26 (non-NPC finalists) and October 27 October (NPC finalists).
ALL BLACKS XV SQUAD
Props
Xavier Numia (25 / Hurricanes / Wellington) George Dyer (24/ Chiefs / Waikato)
Saula Ma’u (24 / Highlanders / Otago)
Marcel Renata (30 / Blues / Auckland)
George Bower (32 / Crusaders / Otago)*
Hookers
Brodie McAlister (27 / Crusaders / Canterbury)
Kurt Eklund (32 / Blues / Bay of Plenty)
Bradley Slater (26 / Chiefs / Taranaki)
Locks
Josh Lord (23 / Chiefs / Taranaki)*
Fabian Holland (21 / Highlanders / Otago)
Isaia Walker-Leawere (27 / Hurricanes / Hawke’s Bay)
Naitoa Ah Kuoi (25 / Chiefs / Bay of Plenty)
Loose Forwards
Du’Plessis Kirifi (27 / Hurricanes / Wellington)
Peter Lakai (21/ Hurricanes / Wellington)
Hoskins Sotutu (26 / Blues / Counties Manukau)*
Oliver Haig (22 / Highlanders / Otago)
Christian Lio-Willie (26 / Crusaders / Otago)
Halfbacks
Noah Hotham (21 / Crusaders / Tasman)*
Finlay Christie (29 / Blues / Tasman)*
First-fives
Harry Plummer (26 / Blues / Auckland)*
Josh Jacomb (23 / Chiefs / Taranaki)
Midfielders
Quinn Tupaea (25 / Chiefs / Waikato)*
Riley Higgins (22 / Hurricanes / Wellington)
AJ Lam (26 / Blues / Auckland)
Dallas McLeod (25 / Crusaders / Canterbury)*
Outside Backs
Kini Naholo (25 / Hurricanes / Taranaki)
Emoni Narawa (25 / Chiefs / Bay of Plenty)*
Chay Fihaki (23 / Crusaders / Canterbury)
Shaun Stevenson (27 / Chiefs / North Harbour)*
* Capped All Blacks
ALL BLACKS XV FIXTURES
Sunday, November 3: All Blacks XV vs Munster, 6.30am NZT, Thomond Park Limerick, Ireland
Monday, November 11: All Blacks XV vs Georgia, 2am NZT, GGL Stadium, Montpellier, France