All Blacks name two potential debutants in first team of RGR tour

A historic tour is just days away from gracing the rugby world’s screens for the first time in 30 years, and New Zealand have revealed which 23 men will bring down the curtain against the Stormers in Cape Town.

The matchday squad features two potential debutants on the bench, Hurricanes powerhouse prop Siale Lauaki and Chiefs pivot Josh Jacomb, while World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year Fabian Holland returns from injury to start in the second row alongside stand-in captain Patrick Tuipulotu.

The game will also present eagerly awaited opportunities to each of the three members of the July squad who didn’t see any game time, Beauden Barrett, Simon Parker and Kyle Preston, with the first two named in the run-on side and the latter set to enter the game off the bench.

Rieko Ioane has been named on the left edge after missing selection in July following a URC-winning sabbatical with Leinster, while fellow squad newcomers Ollie Norris and Ethan Blackadder join the impact unit.

As for the more familiar faces in the team in 2026, the front row features George Bower, Samisoni Taukei’aho and Pasilio Tosi, while Peter Lakai and Wallace Sititi join Parker in the starting loose-forward trio. Cortez Ratima joins Barrett in the starting halves combination, with Anton Lienert-Brown and Billy Proctor holding down the midfield. Leroy Carter joins Ioane on the wing, and Josh Moorby is set for his first start at fullback. Asafo Aumua, Sam Darry and Caleb Clarke complete the bench unit.

“Firstly, I want to congratulate the new All Blacks Siale and Josh. It will be a very exciting and proud day for them and their families,” All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie said.

“We’ve had a great welcome in Cape Town, and we’re excited to get this tour underway.

“We are really pleased with how our leaders, including match-day captain Patrick and tour captain Codie, have prepared the group. We can’t wait for Friday.

“We’re well aware of how good this Stormers side is. They made the semifinals of the United Rugby Championship last year, and they are a big, physical side with a mix of talented youngsters and Springboks, so we are preparing for a real war of attrition.”

Fixture

Rugby Union Hybrid Friendlies

Stormers

10:00

7 Aug 26

New Zealand

All Stats and Data

All Blacks team to play the Stormers

1. George Bower (26, 0)
2. Samisoni Taukei’aho (44, 0)
3. Pasilio Tosi (17, 0)
4. Fabian Holland (12, 0)
5. Patrick Tuipulotu (57, 2) (Captain)
6. Simon Parker (8, 0)
7. Peter Lakai (10, 0)
8. Wallace Sititi (21, 0)
9. Cortez Ratima (24, 0)
10. Beauden Barrett (144, 1)
11. Rieko Ioane (88, 0)
12. Anton Lienert-Brown (90, 1)
13. Billy Proctor (13, 0)
14. Leroy Carter (7, 0)
15. Josh Moorby (2, 0)

Reserves

16. Asafo Aumua (22, 2)
17. Ollie Norris (3, 0)
18. Siale Lauaki *
19. Sam Darry (10, 0)
20. Ethan Blackadder (14, 0)
21. Kyle Preston (1, 0)
22. Josh Jacomb *
23. Caleb Clarke (35, 0)