Scott Robertson names one debutant in 36-man squad for end-of-year tour

All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson has named his squad for the 2025 end-of-year tour, starting on November 2 against Ireland in Chicago.

The 36-man squad is named with no injury cover replacements, and only one new cap in the squad from the Rugby Championship.

The big change is at hooker, where George Bell comes into the squad over Brodie McAlister, who made his debut against France earlier on this season.

Hurricanes prop Tevita Mafileo comes into the squad with Tyrel Lomax nursing a thumb injury, and Josh Lord takes the place of Tupou Vaa’i.

Ollie Norris, Noah Hotham and Emoni Narawa also miss out on the end-of-year tour through injury, joining a long list of players who are unavailable for Robertson.

Robertson says the squad is looking forward to the tour, which includes a rematch against Ireland in Chicago.

“There is a lot of history that has led up to this opportunity for our group, so we will be honouring and taking inspiration from the feats that have come before us,” Robertson said on a New Zealand Rugby statement.

“The rematch against Ireland at Soldier Field will be a huge occasion, and then facing some of the northern hemisphere’s best at their home grounds is a fantastic challenge for us. We are looking forward to this very special tour.”

Full All Blacks squad for the end-of-year tour:

Forwards:

Codie Taylor (hooker, 34, Crusaders / Canterbury, 103)
Samisoni Taukei’aho (hooker, 28, Chiefs / Waikato, 39)
George Bell (hooker, 23, Crusaders / Canterbury, 3)
Ethan de Groot (prop, 27, Highlanders / Southland, 37)
Tamaiti Williams (prop, 25, Crusaders / Canterbury, 23)
George Bower (prop, 33, Crusaders / Otago, 24)
Fletcher Newell (prop, 25, Crusaders / Canterbury, 31)
Pasilio Tosi (prop, 27, Hurricanes / Bay of Plenty, 12)
Tevita Mafileo (prop, 27, Hurricanes / Bay of Plenty, *)
Scott Barrett (lock, 31, Crusaders / Taranaki, 86) (Captain)
Patrick Tuipulotu (lock, 32, Blues / Auckland, 56)
Fabian Holland (lock, 23, Highlanders / Otago, 9)
Josh Lord (lock, 24, Chiefs / Taranaki, 8)
Samipeni Finau (lock/loose forward, 26, Chiefs / Waikato, 12)
Simon Parker (loose forward, 25, Chiefs / Northland, 5)
Ardie Savea (loose forward, 31, Moana Pasifika / Wellington, 103) (Vice-Captain)
Du’Plessis Kirifi (loose forward, 28, Hurricanes / Wellington, 6)
Wallace Sititi (loose forward, 23, Chiefs / North Harbour, 15)
Peter Lakai (loose forward, 22, Hurricanes / Wellington, 5)
Luke Jacobson (loose forward, 28, Chiefs / Waikato, 25)

Backs:

Cortez Ratima (halfback, 24, Chiefs / Waikato, 18)
Cameron Roigard (halfback, 24, Hurricanes / Counties Manukau, 14)
Finlay Christie (halfback, 30, Blues / Tasman, 27)
Beauden Barrett (first-five eighth/fullback, 34, Blues / Taranaki, 141)
Damian McKenzie (first-five eighth/fullback, 30, Chiefs / Waikato, 70)
Anton Lienert-Brown (midfield, 30, Chiefs / Waikato, 86)
Jordie Barrett (midfield, 28, Hurricanes / Taranaki, 77) (Vice-Captain)
Quinn Tupaea (midfield, 26, Chiefs / Waikato, 21)
Billy Proctor (midfield, 26, Hurricanes / Wellington, 9)
Leicester Fainga’anuku (midfield/outside back, 26, Crusaders / Tasman, 8)
Rieko Ioane (midfield/outside back, 28, Blues / Auckland, 87)
Caleb Clarke (outside back, 26, Blues / Auckland, 30)
Sevu Reece (outside back, 28, Crusaders / Southland, 36)
Leroy Carter (outside back, 26, Chiefs / Bay of Plenty, 3)
Will Jordan (outside back, 27, Crusaders / Tasman, 50)
Ruben Love (outside back/first-five eighth, 24, Hurricanes / Wellington, 4)

Unavailable due to injury:
Tyrel Lomax; Tupou Vaa’i; Noah Hotham; Emoni Narawa; Ollie Norris; Ofa Tu’ungafasi; Asafo Aumua; Stephen Perofeta.