Scott Robertson has named his All Blacks squad to face England and Fiji with no major surprises named and only a couple of notables left out.
It's no surprise that Scott Barrett has been confirmed as captain, the 81st man to have that role. He will be assisted by two vice-captains in Ardie Savea and Jordie Barrett.
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“When you think of the leaders who have gone before you, it’s quite humbling to be asked to captain the All Blacks, so it’s not something I took lightly.
It’s a big responsibility, but I have two great leaders beside me in Ardie and Jordie, and I know we’ll have the full backing of the coaches,” said Scott Barrett.
Robertson said his long-standing relationship with Scott Barrett was a factor in his choice of captain.
“There are some great leaders in our group, but having that existing connection to Scott was important. He’s tactically astute, he leads from the front, and he’s got the respect of the players and coaches. Leadership is a shared responsibility and Ardie, Jordie and our wider leadership group will be crucial to how we come together and connect ahead of the first Test against England.
“As a coaching group, we are excited about the squad we’ve selected. We know it’s a group that can play the style of rugby we want the All Blacks to play in 2024.”
Robertson also congratulated the five uncapped players in the squad – hooker George Bell, prop Pasilio Tosi, halfback Cortez Ratima, centre Billy Proctor and loose forward Wallace Sititi, who at 21-years-old is the youngest player in the squad.
“It’s a proud moment for them and their families. They’ve earned their places through performance and consistency and it’s an exciting time in their careers. As coaches, we will get them ready so they can take their opportunity when it comes.”
Possibly the two biggest names to be missing are Blues players Harry Plumber and Hoskins Sotutu.
Blues lock Sam Darry, Hurricanes outside back Ruben Love and the Crusaders pair of prop George Bower and midfielder David Havili will also assemble with the squad as cover.
ALL BLACKS SQUAD
FORWARDS (18)
Hookers
Asafo Aumua (27 / Hurricanes / Wellington / 6)
Codie Taylor (33 / Crusaders / Canterbury / 85)
George Bell* (22 / Crusaders / Canterbury / 0)
Props
Ethan De Groot (25 / Highlanders / Southland / 22)
Tyrel Lomax (28 / Hurricanes / Tasman / 32)
Fletcher Newell (24 / Crusaders / Canterbury / 13)
Pasilio Tosi* (25 / Hurricanes/Bay of Plenty / 0)
Ofa Tu’ungafasi (32 / Blues / Northland / 57)
Tamaiti Williams (23 / Crusaders / Canterbury / 7)
Locks
Scott Barrett (30 / Crusaders / Taranaki / 69)
Tupou Vaa’i (24 / Chiefs / Taranaki / 25)
Patrick Tuipulotu (31 / Blues / Auckland / 43)
Loose Forwards
Ethan Blackadder (29 / Crusaders / Tasman / 10)
Samipeni Finau (25 / Chiefs / Waikato / 1)
Luke Jacobson (27 / Chiefs / Waikato / 18)
Dalton Papali’i (26 / Blues / Counties Manukau / 32)
Ardie Savea (30 / Hurricanes / Wellington / 81)
Wallace Sititi* (21 / Chiefs / North Harbour / 0)
BACKS (14)
Halfbacks
Finlay Christie (28 / Blues / Tasman / 21)
TJ Perenara (32 / Hurricanes / Wellington / 80)
Cortez Ratima* (23 / Chiefs / Waikato / 0)
First-fives
Beauden Barrett (33 / Blues / Taranaki / 123)
Damian McKenzie (29 / Chiefs / Waikato / 47)
Mid-fielders
Jordie Barrett (27 / Hurricanes / Taranaki / 57)
Rieko Ioane (27 / Blues / Auckland / 67)
Anton Lienert-Brown (29 / Chiefs / Waikato / 70)
Billy Proctor* (25 / Hurricanes / Wellington / 0)
Outside backs
Caleb Clarke (25 / Blues / Auckland / 20)
Emoni Narawa (24 / Chiefs / Bay of Plenty / 1)
Stephen Perofeta (27 / Blues / Taranaki / 3)
Sevu Reece (27 / Crusaders / Southland / 23)
Mark Tele’a (27 / Blues / North Harbour/ 9)
The following players were not considered due to injury: Sam Cane, Will Jordan, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Cam Roigard
ALL BLACKS SCHEDULE
Saturday, July 6
vs England, 7.05pm, Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
Saturday, July 13
vs England, 7.05pm, Eden Park, Auckland
Saturday, July 20
vs Fiji, 2.30pm (NZT), SnapDragon Stadium, San Diego
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