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Four new caps named in All Blacks 39-man squad for Rugby Championship
All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen has named four new caps in his 39-man Rugby Championship squad.
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Chiefs loose forward Luke Jacobson, Highlanders first five-eighth Josh Ioane and Crusaders back Braydon Ennor and Crusaders outside back Sevu Reece have all been included in the national side for the first time.
There are a further two uncapped players who have previously featured for the All Blacks in non-tests in the form of Hurricanes hooker Asafo Aumua and Chiefs prop Atu Moli.
The squad also features the return of livewire Chiefs halfback Brad Weber, who is back in the national set-up for the first time in four years after a stunning campaign for the Hamilton franchise.
Kieran Read will again captain the squad, which is two players short of the expected 41-player side due to the injuries of Crusaders duo Scott Barrett and Ryan Crotty.
They were among four players not considered due to injury, with Crusaders prop Tim Perry and Chiefs utility back Damian McKenzie ruled out of action.
There are four noticeable absentees, with Highlanders pair Waisake Naholo and Liam Squire and Chiefs duo Nathan Harris and Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi not named.
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Naholo appears to have been overtaken by Reece in the national pecking order on the wing, while Squire has ruled himself out of contention as he felt was not ready for international rugby.
Tahuriorangi also seems to have been bumped out of the squad by Super Rugby teammate Weber, which is representative of how the pair were utilised by Chiefs head coach Colin Cooper, who started the latter ahead of the former all season long, despite Tahuriorangi being the All Blacks incumbent at the beginning of the season.
The same can be said for Harris, who has seemingly lost his place in the national side to impressive Highlanders rake Liam Coltman.
Uncapped Blues loose forward Akira Ioane continues to be excluded from the national set-up, despite being included in the ‘foundation day’ camps earlier in the season.
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All in all, there are 12 players from the Crusaders, eight from the Chiefs, seven from the Hurricanes, six Highlanders and six Blues.
Provincially, there are nine from Canterbury, five from Wellington, four from Auckland, three from Counties Manukau, three from Waikato, three from Manawatu, three from Otago, two from Hawke’s Bay, two from Taranaki, two from Tasman, one from Northland, one from North Harbour and one from Bay of Plenty.
Hansen said: “On behalf of the selectors, we want to congratulate the four new All Blacks named today – Luke, Josh, Braydon and Sevu. They’ve all performed to very high levels this year and played some outstanding rugby. It’s a special time being named in the All Blacks for the first time and they and their families can be proud of what they’ve achieved.
“We also congratulate the returning All Blacks and commiserate with those players who haven’t been named. As always, history has shown us opportunities will arise.
“It’s really exciting bringing the team together and we’re all looking forward to starting the work towards this year’s goals. We’re going to try and do something that’s never been done before and that’s to win three Rugby World Cups in a row.
“However, that’s not a given. We’re going to have to be hungry for success and we’re going to have to work incredibly hard and smart to achieve this.
“Whilst recapturing the Rugby World Cup and the Bledisloe Cup are two of the end goals for the year, we have to deal with the here and now, which is getting ready to face two quality oppositions in Argentina and South Africa.”
Hansen said there were many positives in being able to name a larger squad for the first two matches in the Rugby Championship.
“First and foremost, it allows us to pick a very strong squad for what will be a challenging first Test against Argentina in Buenos Aires, while at the same time giving most of the Crusaders players in the All Blacks a rest from what has been a very tough Super Rugby Finals campaign.
“For the new players, it allows us to meet them for the first time, introduce them to our environment and grow their understanding of their game and our game at international level.
Hansen further added: “The challenge and the aim of the first two matches is not only to play winning rugby but attractive, exciting rugby. To do this, we’ll have to quickly reconnect the players from the various Super Rugby clubs back into the All Blacks’ ways. We will need to master our game by improving our execution. To do this, our skillsets and decision making will be our key focus.”
Hansen further said that the first two Rugby Championship matches, along with the Maori All Blacks two matches against Fiji, would give the selectors an opportunity to see a large number of players performing at a higher level, prior to them naming a trimmed down squad of 34 for the Bledisloe Cup.
Hansen said: “Being a Rugby World Cup year, there’s a lot of excitement and anticipation from our many fans not only in New Zealand but also overseas. The squad is really looking forward to our fans’ support at all our Tests this year.”
All Blacks 39-man Rugby Championship squad:
Asafo Aumua (22, Hurricanes / Wellington, uncapped)
Beauden Barrett (32, Hurricanes / Wellington, 60)
Jordie Barrett (22, Hurricanes / Taranaki, 9)
GeorgeBridge (24, Crusaders / Canterbury, 1)
Sam Cane (27, Chiefs / Bay of Plenty, 60)
Dane Coles (32, Hurricanes / Wellington, 60)
Liam Coltman (29, Highlanders / Otago, 4)
Braydon Ennor (21, Crusaders / Canterbury, new cap)
Vaea Fifita (30, Crusaders / Canterbury, 108)
Owen Franks (31, Crusaders / Canterbury, 106)
Shannon Frizell (25, Highlanders / Tasman, 4)
Jack Goodhue (24, Crusaders / Northland, 7)
Jackson Hemopo (25, Highlanders / Manawatu, 3)
Josh Ioane (23, Highlanders / Otago, new cap)
Rieko Ioane (22, Blues / Auckland, 24)
Luke Jacobson (22, Chiefs / Waikato, new cap)
Nepo Laulala (27, Chiefs / Counties Manukau, 17)
Ngani Laumape (26, Hurricanes / Manawatu, 10)
Anton Lienert-Brown (24, Chiefs / Waikato, 33)
Atu Moli (24, Chiefs / Tasman, uncapped)
Joe Moody (30, Crusaders /Canterbury, 37)
Richie Mo’unga (25, Crusaders / Canterbury, 9)
Dalton Papali’i (21, Blues / Auckland, 2)
TJ Perenara (27, Hurricanes / Wellington, 55)
Kieran Read (c) (33, Crusaders / Counties Manukau, 118)
Sevu Reece (22, Crusaders / Waikato, new cap)
Brodie Retallick (28, Chiefs / Hawke’s Bay, 75)
Ardie Savea (25, Hurricanes / Wellington, 35)
Aaron Smith (30, Highlanders / Manawatu, 82)
Ben Smith (33, Highlanders /Otago, 76)
Angus Ta’avao (29, Chiefs / Taranaki, 3)
Codie Taylor (28, Crusaders / Canterbury, 41)
Matt Todd (31, Crusaders / Canterbury, 17)
Karl Tu’inukuafe (26, Blues / North Harbour, 13)
Patrick Tuipulotu (26, Blues / Auckland, 21)
Ofa Tu’ungafasi (27, Blues / Auckland, 26)
Brad Weber (28, Chiefs / Hawke’s Bay, 1)
Sam Whitelock (30, Crusaders / Canterbury, 108)
Sonny Bill Williams (33, Blues / Counties Manukau, 51)
Not considered for selection due to injury: Ryan Crotty, Scott Barrett, Tim Perry and Damian McKenzie.
Unavailable for selection: Liam Squire has also made himself unavailable as he felt he wasn’t ready to return to international rugby at this stage.
Comments on RugbyPass
Not good to hear Ulster described as “financially troubled”. Did not think it was getting to that level. I would hope the Irish system of spreading players of talent away from Leinster would kick in now. Better to have a Leinster fringe player with Ulster or Connacht, then getting only a few games a season in Dublin. 10, for example, would seem to be a case for spreading the talent. I would not be at all adverse to a SA man coming in as head coach/DR. Ludeke is worth trying. Certainly got a long and impressive coaching career at this level…..149 games in SR, then Japan, 30 years experience. And Ulster’s ledger of successful SA coaches and players is on the positive side. Is talk of Ruan Pienaar interested in coming back as a coach…..could be a good combination with Ludeke. And Pienaar and family would have no settling in to do, one would judge. He loved life in Ulster when there, by all reports.
1 Go to commentsSome thoughts to consider here, Sam. Thanks
2 Go to commentsI think he is right, SBW is respected in RSA. The guy who never stood up is a worm. Sseems lots of NZ SBW hate, you do the crime do the time.
11 Go to commentsAfter missing the curfew, the player was simply too “Shagged” to stand up.
11 Go to commentsVernier is probably the best 12 in the world though she has some English competition these days . I am nervous for England because it is unpredictable France and who knows which team will turn up, but they have not yet shown anything that should worry England, Saturday could be a different day. I would be more confident against the BFs.
1 Go to commentsWhat a difference Rodda and Carter made. Rodda has been out for ages but he is really the only world class lock in Australian rugby. Him, Carter and Beale made a huge difference on the weekend. If only they had a few decent props they’d be a much more dangerous team. Hamish Stewart was excellent last week as well. His carrying has improved significantly and has to be next in line after Paisami at 12 for the Wallabies. He’ll benefit hugely with Beale at fullback, there’s just no better communicator in Australian rugby than him and his experience will make a huge difference for the Force. No one sees space like Beale and he’s still sharp. I can see Force making a late charge into the top 8 if they can get some consistency.
2 Go to commentsRodda will be a walk up starter at lock. Frost if you analyse his dominance has little impact and he’s a long way from being physical enough, especially when you compare to Rodda and the work he does. He was quite poor at the World Cup in his lack of physicality. Between Rodda and Skelton we would have locks who can dominate the breakdown and in contact. Frost is maybe next but Schmidt might go for a more physical lock who does their core work better like Ryan or LSL. Swain is no chance unless there’s a load of injuries. Pollard hasn’t got the scrum ability yet to be considered. Nasser dominated him when they went toe to toe and really showed him up. Picking Skelton effects who can play 6 and 8. Ideally Valetini would play 6 as that’s his best position and Wilson at 8 but that’s not ideal for lineout success. Cale isn’t physical enough yet in contact and defence but is the best backrow lineout jumper followed by Wright, Hanigan and Swinton so unfortunately Valetini probably will start at 8 with Wright or Hanigan at 6. Wilson on the bench, he’s got too much quality not to be in the squad. Paisami is leading the way at 12 but Hamish Stewart is playing extremely well also and his ball carrying has improved significantly. Beale is also another option based on the weekend. Beale is class but he’s also the best communicator of any Australian backline player and that can’t be underestimated, he’ll be in the mix.
8 Go to commentsWhy do people keep on picking Ardie at 7 when he's a ball in hand 8? A modern 7 is the lead tackler and ruck clearer which isn't his strength.
14 Go to commentsSly dig there at Ireland’s propensity to back a non-Irish coach. Must really want it. I’m not sure I like ROG very much. Comes off as unpleasant. But he’d gain my respect if he took a number 7 ranked team and turned them into WC winners. Not even back-to-back. Argentina? Scotland? Or how about Wales? France would be too easy, no?
1 Go to commentsA bit of sensationalism, but surprised by the comments about SBW. I’ve always thought of him as a pretty authentic person. There is nothing worse than working with a colleague you’ve seen straight through.
11 Go to comments100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
2 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
2 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
8 Go to commentsNasser and kaitu are options for hooker. Especially Nasser. You forgot Rodda who touch wood will be fit at test time and if fit he’s number one. Great partner for the great Skelton and Oz best lineout caller. Third best lock is LSL whom I’d be inclined to sub on for Skelton around 60 minutes. Probably start valetini at 8 because I like a big body back there. Cale should play 6 at the brumbies. For Wallabies definitely cale in the squad but as an apprentice. Dunno who starts at 6 seru wright Swinton hanigan with Will Harris and Harry Wilson not far away. Seru and Swinton my front runners but Swinton is going. Still if we don’t cap seru then Fiji must coz they need his lineout skills and easily compensate for his lack of weight
8 Go to commentsYeah but who was it?
11 Go to commentsThink you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
8 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
14 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
8 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
11 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
11 Go to comments