All Blacks squad naming: Four new faces in Dave Rennie’s first squad to play in the Nations Championship
The first All Blacks squad of Dave Rennie’s tenure sees four uncapped players join the test environment, with another named as injury cover.
Fresh off winning the Super Rugby Pacific title with the Hurricanes and each setting a new single-season individual try-scoring record with 17, wingers Fehi Fineanganofo and Josh Moorby have been named.
They’re joined by Hurricanes loosehead prop Xavier Numia and Blues loose forward Anton Segner as the newcomers in the group. Crusaders lock Jamie Hannah has also been named as injury cover for Chiefs lock Tupou Vaa’i who is going through concussion protocols after a failed head injury assessment in the Super Rugby Pacific final.
There was no room in the squad for Du’Plessis Kirifi, Rieko Ioane, Timoci Tavatavanawai or Ollie Norris, while Crusaders halfback Kyle Preston is perhaps a surprise inclusion with fellow Crusader Noah Hotham missing out.
Rennie said his first squad as head coach reflected the style of rugby he and his coaching team want the All Blacks to play.
“We are rapt with this squad – players with the ability to bar up to the demands of test footy but also play with optimism and brutality. We look forward to connecting on Wednesday in preparation for three big tests against France, Italy and Ireland,” Rennie said.
“Special congratulations must go to our four uncapped players. These men have each had an outstanding Super Rugby season and fully deserve their place in the squad. It will be a massively proud time for their families, friends and teammates.
“Congratulations also to our new All Blacks captain Ardie Savea, who we know will do an outstanding job of leading this team on and off-field. Ardie is highly respected by his teammates and cares deeply about the black jersey.”
Speaking to Sky Sport about the selections, Rennie said they had the 34-man squad selected before the Super Rugby Pacific final and the outcome of that game did not change anything.
“We’re pretty aligned, surprisingly. And it’s not easy to pick because there’s so much talent out there. There are some really good players that we’ve left out, but maybe they’ll get an opportunity when we take 44 to Africa.
“We’re excited with the group we’ve chosen. We’re really comfortable...we had picked 34 guys before that [Super Rugby Pacific] final and that didn’t change so it’s exciting to see them all on Wednesday.”
That will do it for today's blog
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Congratulations to those selected, and bring on the July test window.
Sir Graham Henry's take on the season ahead
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"This year, and I've been around a wee while, is probably the biggest challenge the All Blacks team has ever had," he told Sky Sport.
"There are 13 tests but that tour of South Africa, they are the best team in the world right now so we've got a major challenge on our hands.
"I've been really excited about the rugby played at Super level. The Hurricanes have set the bar and set it even higher in the weekend. They've been fantastic to watch and as a rugby person it gives you real pleasure to see the game played so well.
"That's transferable, I'm sure, so I think we can look forward to something really special. but as I say it's a major challenge."
Neil Barnes on the new forwards
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"They should be given a lot of credit. If I use Xavier [Numia] for an example, it's been an outstanding season and he's forced his way in here with performance," he told Sky Sport.
"We've been very clear that form was going to be the high priority when we picked this team, but across the board he's shown improvements from where he was the year before and he's been consistent right throughout the season.
"Proud of you mate and I can't wait to coach you. He'd be a great example for everyone in the team."
On Anton Segner
"Very impressive young man who has worked very hard this year. He's probably been the best player in the Blues camp and he's forced his way in with performance.
"I'll be straight up with you, at the start of the year I was aware of him, but wasn't quite aware of how good he is. He's done a good job of impressing us, he's got more work to do now."
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Speaking about selections
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"We're pretty aligned, surprisingly. And it's not easy to pick because there's so much talent out there. There are some really good players that we've left out, but maybe they'll get an opportunity when we take 44 to Africa.
"We're excited with the group we've chosen. We're really comfortable...we had picked 34 guys before that [Super Rugby Pacific] final and that didn't change so it's exciting to see them all on Wednesday."
Dave Rennie speaking to Sky Sport
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"I'm excited for the new players, for the squad we've assembled. It's been a hell of a lot of hard work from a lot of people, especially with me being based in Japan so I appreciate the work that [Neil Barnes, Sir Graham Henry] and the other coaches have done.
"I got appointed in March and it's pretty exciting to get our hands on the boys on Wednesday."
Areas of interest
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Adrie Savea named captain - Can't say that's too much of a surprise.
Anton Lienert-Brown, Quinn Tupaea and Billy Proctor join Jordie Barrett as midfield options. Rieko Ioane misses out.
No room for Noah Hotham as Kyle Preston named as the third halfback.
Du'Plessis Kirifi, Ollie Norris and Timoci Tavatavanawai are among the other notable players to miss selection.
Four debutants in the squad
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Congratulations if you picked the "more" option in the earlier poll.
Fehi Fineanganofo, Josh Moorby, Xavier Numia and Anton Segner all get the nod, with Jamie Hannah as injury cover.
All Blacks squad for the July test window
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Hookers: Asafo Aumua, Codie Taylor, Samisoni Taukei’aho
Loosehead props: Ethan de Groot, George Bower, Xavier Numia (uncapped)
Tighthead props: Fletcher Newell, Pasilio Tosi, Tyrel Lomax
Locks: Josh Lord, Patrick Tuipulotu, Sam Darry, Tupou Vaa’i, Jamie Hannah (uncapped) joins the squad as injury cover for Vaa’i (concussion)
Loose forwards: Anton Segner (uncapped), Ardie Savea (captain), Luke Jacobson, Peter Lakai, Simon Parker, Wallace Sititi
Halfbacks: Cameron Roigard, Cortez Ratima, Kyle Preston
First fives: Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie, Ruben Love
Midfielders: Anton Lienert-Brown, Billy Proctor, Jordie Barrett, Quinn Tupaea
Outside backs: Caleb Clarke, Fehi Fineanganofo (uncapped), Josh Moorby (uncapped), Leroy Carter, Will Jordan
Unavailable due to injury: Fabian Holland, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Scott Barrett, Tamaiti Williams
Unavailable for selection
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We know Fabian Holland (shoulder), Scott Barrett (back), Leicester Fainga'anuku (leg) and Tamaiti Williams (back) won't be in the squad due to injury.
Areas of the most intrigue
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Now you might have your own opinions on what fits this category, but for me it's the midfield and the wings. The likes of Billy Proctor, Quinn Tupaea and David Havili have all had strong seasons in Super Rugby Pacific, while Anton Lienert-Brown is available after his season in Japan. I don't imagine there's a spot for all of them - that's assuming Jordie Barrett is in the squad. For me, he's one of the first names on the sheet, but I'm not selecting the squad.
The wings have been a topic of conversation all season, so it'll be interesting to see where Rennie and the selectors go there.
Who makes the cut?
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Here were the thoughts of our lead rugby writer Liam Napier ahead of the Super Rugby Pacific final.
Potential changes?
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The glaringly obvious is around captaincy. Scott Barrett will be unavailable for the July window so a new captain will take over. You'd have to assume Ardie Savea is a good shout, though I'd imagine Codie Taylor would be among the contenders.
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Hello and welcome
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It's an exciting day today as the first All Blacks squad of Dave Rennie's tenure is named.
Today will see 34 players selected for the upcoming July test window, during which the All Blacks host France, Italy and Ireland.
Christopher Reive here at NZME Towers to bring you the names.