The All Blacks selectors have announced their squad for the annual end of year European tour.
The group contains a number of new names, most notably Scott and Jordie Barrett, who will join their brother Beauden to become the second trio of siblings to ever be selected for an All Blacks squad.
Scott comes in as replacement as injury cover for Sam Whitelock, who suffered a high ankle sprain in Saturday night's win over Australia, while Jordie has been included as a non-playing apprentice.
Also on ice is Brodie Retallick, who's due to undergo concussion protocols after receiving a head knock against the Wallabies. Wellington lock Vaea Fifita has been named as an injury replacement and a decision on whether he joins the squad will be made this week.
"We think it has huge benefits for a young player. Jordie will get all the experiences of touring and being part of the All Blacks group without the pressures of having to perform on the park. He is an outstanding prospect and has a big future in the game," All Blacks coach Steve Hansen said.
Otago's Liam Coltman receives his first call-up, while 19-year-old Aucklander Rieko Ioane returns to the fray.
"We stated at the beginning of the season that this was a year of re-establishment. We are only three quarters of the way through the season, so one of our big goals for this Tour is to continue that re-establishment," he added. "The Tour gives our leaders and the team the opportunity to continue to grow, in what will be different environments and against opposition that will bring a different style of game and skillsets. This will ask questions of us and, in doing so, challenge us."
Several players weren’t considered for selection due to injury, including hookers Nathan Harris and James Parsons, midfielders Sonny Bill Williams and Charlie Ngatai and outside back Nehe Milner-Skudder.
Forwards:Hookers Dane Coles (Wellington, 46) Codie Taylor (Canterbury, 11) Liam Coltman (Otago, uncapped) Props Wyatt Crockett (Canterbury, 55) Charlie Faumuina (Auckland, 42) Owen Franks (Canterbury, 87) Joe Moody (Canterbury, 20) Ofa Tu’ungafasi (Auckland, 2)Locks Brodie Retallick (Hawke’s Bay, 57) Luke Romano (Canterbury, 26) Patrick Tuipulotu (Auckland, 10) Samuel Whitelock (Canterbury, 82)Loose Forwards Sam Cane (Bay of Plenty, 37) Elliot Dixon (Southland, 2) Jerome Kaino (Auckland, 74) Steven Luatua (Auckland, 14) Kieran Read, captain (Canterbury, 94) Ardie Savea (Wellington, 9) Liam Squire (Tasman, 6) Matt Todd (Canterbury, 5)
Backs:Halfbacks Tawera Kerr–Barlow (Waikato, 24) TJ Perenara (Wellington, 26) Aaron Smith (Manawatu, 54)First five–eighths Beauden Barrett (Taranaki, 46) Aaron Cruden (Manawatu, 43) Lima Sopoaga (Southland, 5)Midfielders Ryan Crotty (Canterbury, 24) Malakai Fekitoa (Auckland, 20) Anton Leinert-Brown (Waikato, 5) George Moala (Auckland, 3)Outside backs Israel Dagg (Hawke’s Bay, 58) Rieko Ioane (Auckland, uncapped) Damian McKenzie (Waikato, 1) Waisake Naholo (Taranaki, 8) Julian Savea (Wellington, 49) Ben Smith (Otago, 58)
Newshub.
