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Scott Barrett among notable inclusions in 34-man All Blacks Bledisloe Cup squad
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All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie has named his 34-man squad to take on the Wallabies in the Bledisloe Cup starting next weekend at Eden Park in Auckland.
The squad features several notable inclusions, headlined by the return of Shannon Frizell and Scott Barrett, who are set to play for the All Blacks for the first time in 2026.
All Blacks playmakers Josh Jacomb, Richie Mo’unga, and Beauden Barrett are included, with Ruben Love set to miss the Bledisloe Cup series through an ankle ligament injury.
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Codie Taylor has been named captain in Ardie Savea and Luke Jacobson’s absence, as both loose-forwards will likely miss the rest of the season with their respective injuries.
Patrick Tuipulotu, Ollie Norris, Billy Proctor, Anton Lienert-Brown and Caleb Clarke will also miss the series through injury.
Blues lock Sam Darry and Chiefs outside-back Emoni Narawa miss out, while Anton Segner and Quinn Tupaea have seemingly recovered from their minor injuries.
Rennie said that Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry was a great learning experience for a number of players.
“Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour was great for us. We’ve learnt a lot about our game and about ourselves, and it gave a lot of guys valuable time in the jersey. Plenty of them put their hands up, and every player selected fully deserves their place,” Rennie said.
The All Blacks head coach explained that he’s pleased that both Barrett and Frizell are ready to return to the environment.
“It’s great to welcome back Scott Barrett and Shannon Frizell. Scott has had a challenging stretch on the sidelines, and we’re thrilled to have his experience and leadership back in the group. Shannon brings plenty of Test experience and physical impact to our loose forwards.
“Congratulations also to Codie Taylor on the captaincy. Codie is a top man who has huge mana. His leadership as Tour Captain was important for us during Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry, so we know he will do an outstanding job in Ardie’s absence.
“The Bledisloe Cup means a huge amount to this team. We’ve held it since 2003 and we don’t take that for granted. Australia will be a real challenge. It’s now a very experienced Wallabies side who have played a lot of Test footy together. After eight games on the road, we’re excited to start this series in front of our home crowd at Eden Park,” Rennie said.
Taylor, who will lead the All Blacks during the Bledisloe Cup series, said that it’s a proud moment for him and his family.
“To lead this team is a massive honour, and I know I’m lucky to have a lot of good leaders around me who make that job easier. A special thank you also to my wh?nau for their support; none of this would be possible without them.
“Ardie has done an outstanding job for us this year, and we’re all gutted he’s not with us. We’ll be doing everything we can to make him proud.
“This group is hungry to show what we’ve learned so far this year. The Bledisloe Cup means a lot to every player in this squad, and there’s nothing better than running out at Eden Park in front of a home crowd,” Taylor explained.
The 34-man squad is as follows (age, Super Rugby Club, province, Test caps):
Forwards (19)
Hookers
Codie Taylor (35 / Crusaders / Canterbury / 112) (Captain)
Asafo Aumua (29 / Hurricanes / Wellington / 26)
Samisoni Taukei’aho (29 / Chiefs / Waikato / 45)
Props
Ethan de Groot (28 / Highlanders / Southland / 45)
George Bower (34 / Crusaders / Otago / 29)
Xavier Numia (27 / Hurricanes / Wellington / 5)
Tyrel Lomax (30 / Hurricanes / Tasman / 55)
Fletcher Newell (26 / Crusaders / Canterbury / 41)
Pasilio Tosi (28 / Hurricanes / Bay of Plenty / 17)
Locks
Scott Barrett (32 / Crusaders / Taranaki / 89)
Josh Lord (25 / Chiefs / Taranaki / 17)
Fabian Holland (23 / Highlanders / Otago / 15)
Tupou Vaa’i (26 / Chiefs / Taranaki / 51)
Loose Forwards
Simon Parker (26 / Chiefs / Northland / 10)
Shannon Frizell (32 / Highlanders / Tasman / 33)
Anton Segner (25 / Blues / Auckland / 2)
Ethan Blackadder (31 / Crusaders / Tasman / 15)
Peter Lakai (23 / Hurricanes / Wellington / 14)
Wallace Sititi (24 / Chiefs / North Harbour / 23)
Backs (15)
Halfbacks
Cam Roigard (25 / Hurricanes / Counties Manukau / 24)
Cortez Ratima (25 / Chiefs / Waikato / 24)
Kyle Preston (27 / Crusaders / Wellington / 5)
First Five-Eighths
Richie Mo’unga (32 / Crusaders / Canterbury / 57)
Josh Jacomb ( 25 / Chiefs / Taranaki / 0)
Midfielders
Jordie Barrett (29 / Hurricanes / Taranaki / 85)
Quinn Tupaea (27 / Chiefs / Waikato / 29)
Timoci Tavatavanawai (28 / Highlanders / Tasman / 2)
Rieko Ioane (29 / Blues / Auckland / 89)
Outside Backs
Fehi Fineanganofo (24 / Hurricanes / Bay of Plenty / 1)
Leroy Carter (27 / Chiefs / Bay of Plenty / 10)
Josh Moorby (28 / Hurricanes / Waikato / 5)
Will Jordan (28 / Crusaders / Tasman / 61)
Beauden Barrett (35 / Blues / Taranaki / 145)
Damian McKenzie (31 / Chiefs / Waikato / 81)
Unavailable due to injury: Ruben Love (ankle); Patrick Tuipulotu (calf); Ardie Savea (shoulder); Luke Jacobson (elbow); Anton Lienert-Brown (knee); Billy Proctor (shoulder); Caleb Clarke (shoulder); Ollie Norris (knee).
