There are five new faces in Steve Hansen's latest All Blacks squad, ahead of a busy schedule of games over the next few months. 

Starting with a visit to Apia to play Samoa on July 8, the All Blacks then face Australia, Argentina and South Africa in the Investec Rugby Championship, before an extra Bledisloe Cup tie against the Wallabies on August 15th to end their schedule, ahead of the Rugby World Cup

Five uncapped players named for the first time

Hansen has given maiden call-up's to five players, who have all had outstanding Super Rugby seasons, including the Highlanders back pairing of Waisake Naholo and Lima Sopoaga

Both players have been instrumental in getting the Highlanders to next week's semi-final and have been rewarded with a call-up to the international side.

They are named alongside fellow new boys Codie Taylor, James Broadhurst and Nehe Milner-Skudder. Milner-Skudder has been in electric form for the Hurricanes this season at both full-back and on the wing which has clearly been noticed by the selection panel. 

The squad will join up on Auckland's North Shore this Wenesday for a three-day camp, which will not include the 18 players who are still involved in the Super Rugby playoffs from the Highlanders and Hurricanes.

The squad will then re-assemble on Wednesday 1 July in Auckland ahead of the one-off Test against Samoa, the first time the All Blacks have played a game away against one of the Pacific Islanders

Crusaders provide most squad members

Despite a disappointing Super Rugby season by their own high standards, the Crusaders still provide the most All Black squad members with 13.

The likes of Dan Carter, Kieran Read and Richie McCaw are joined in the squad by the less experienced Matt Todd, Joe Moody and the aforementioned Taylor, with the Cantebury club providing a forward player for every position on the park. 

There are 12 Hurricanes in the squad after their incredible Super Rugby regular season campaign where they stormed the league, with six players representing the Chiefs and five each from the Highlanders and Blues

Several players set to miss out

The most unfortunate player to have been overlooked for the squad, is Ardie Savea

The back-rower has been in sensational form for the table-topping 'Canes this season, leading from the front most weeks, and he will be hoping for a couple more strong showings in the Super Rugby playoffs to remind the selectors of his undoubted potential. 

Chiefs backs Charlie Ngatai and James Lowe can also feel hard done by after stellar seasons, as well as the Blues' standout centre George Moala.

Hansen also announced a handful of players who have missed out on selection due to injuries picked up during the Super Rugby season. 

The Chiefs trio of Augustine Pulu, Nathan Harris and Aaron Cruden are all long-term absentees and were unable to put themselves forward for selection, as well as the Blues' forwards pairing of Patrick Tuipulotu and Steven Luatua.

There are also a couple of injury replacements in the squad, while players regain fitness ahead of the busy schedule of matches. 

Blues' prop Charlie Faumuina's neck injury will allow him to return for the back-end of the Rugby Championship, so he will be covered in the squad by Crusader Nepo Laulala, whilst Andy Ellis will step-in at scrum-half whilst Tawera Kerr-Barlow gains some match time for Hamilton club side Hautapu to prove his fitness.

Hansen said that the 'immediate focus' is on the first Test match against Samoa, and that his squad 'look forward' to once again locking horns with Argentina, South Africa and Australia in the upcoming Rugby Championship. 

Squad in full

Blues (5): Charlie Faumuina*, Jerome Kaino, Keven Mealamu, Charles Piutau, Tony Woodcock.

Chiefs (6): Sam Cane, Hikawera Elliot, Tawera Kerr-Barlow**, Liam Messam, Brode Retallick, Sonny Bill Williams. 

Crusaders (13): Daniel Carter, Wyatt Crockett, Ryan Crotty, Israel Dagg, Owen Franks, Richie McCaw, Joe Moody, Kieran Read, Luke Romano, Colin Slade, Codie Taylor, Matt Todd, Sam Whitelock.

Highlanders (5): Malakai Fekitoa, Waisake Naholo, Aaron Smith, Ben Smith, Lima Sopoaga.

Hurricanes (12): Beauden Barrett, James Broadhurst, Dane Coles, Ben Franks, Cory Jane, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Ma'a Nonu, TJ Perenara, Julian Savea, Conrad Smith, Jeremy Thrush, Victor Vito.

*Replaced by Nepo Laulala (Crusaders)

** Replaced by Andy Ellis (Crusaders)

VAVEL Logo
About the author