Scott Robertson has named five uncapped players in his maiden 32-man All Blacks squad, with Scott Barrett confirmed as captain and Ardie Savea and Jordie Barrett vice-captains for July’s two-Test series against England.
The five uncapped players are Crusaders hooker George Bell, Hurricanes centre Billy Proctor, Chiefs halfback Cortez Ratima, Chiefs No 8 Wallace Sititi and Hurricanes prop Pasilio Tosi.
Three hookers (Bell, Asafo Aumua and Codie Taylor) were named, along with three halfbacks (TJ Perenara, Finlay Christie and Ratima). Curiously, only three specialist locks were named.
Unsurprisingly Beauden Barrett has immediately returned to the squad after his season in Japan, where he has been chosen alongside versatile playmakers Damian McKenzie and the Blues’ Stephen Perofeta. There was no place for Blues playmaker Harry Plummer, who was outstanding in the Super Rugby final and was flawless from the kicking tee to bang over 16 points.
Scott Barrett (C) has been named Scott Robertson’s captain, with Jordie Barrett (L) named vice-captain and Beauden Barrett (R) included. (Photo by David Ramos – World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)
Blues skipper Patrick Tuipulotu was named in the squad as one of three locks despite entering Saturday’s 41-10 Super Rugby final win over the Chiefs with a knee-injury. Chiefs hit-man Samipeni Finau can also slot into the second-row if needed.
Among the big names to miss out are former captain Sam Cane, Blues forwards Hoskins Sotutu and Ricky Riccitelli, Hurricanes prop Xavier Numea, loose forward Peter Lakai and fullback Ruben Love, and Chiefs backs Quinn Tupaea and Etene Nanai-Seturo.
Sotutu particularly can feel aggrieved to miss out, with 21-year-old rising star Sititi instead preferred after a stunning finals series.
Versatile Crusaders back-rower Ethan Blackadder was also selected despite another injury-plagued season.
Chiefs youngsters Wallace Sititi (L) and Cortez Ratima (R) have been named in Scott Robertson’s maiden All Blacks squad. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
Robertson selected four wingers in his squad, with Caleb Clarke, Mark Telea, Sevu Reece and Emoni Nawara to compete for selection, with Rieko Ioane the favourite to start at outside centre ahead of Anton Lienert-Brown and Billy Pollard.
The All Blacks confirmed Cane was not considered for the squad because of an injury. Others who would likely have pushed for selection but have missed out with injury are Will Jordan, Samisoni Taukei’aho and Cam Roigard.
Robertson didn’t dance around the importance of starting strongly and winning the two-Test series against Steve Borthwick’s England, who warmed up with an emphatic 52-17 victory over Eddie Jones’ Japan.
“We’ve picked a squad to win this England series,” the seven-time Super Rugby champion-winning coach said.
“Our preparation starts now.”
All Blacks coach Scott Robertson speaks to media during the All Blacks Test squad announcement at Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre in Christchurch on June 24, 2024 . (Photo by Joe Allison/Getty Images)
Barrett’s appointment as captain isn’t surprising.
The versatile forward was Robertson’s skipper at the Crusaders for the second-half of his tenure with the franchise after replacing Sam Whitelock.
“I’m hugely honoured and grateful for the opportunity to captain the All Blacks,” Barrett told Sky.
“I understand it’s a huge job, and there’s a lot of pressure that goes with it.
“But I’m excited to see where this team’s going.”
Barrett said Robertson approached him earlier in the month regarding whether he would accept the responsibility.
“Razor came around and floated the idea a few weeks ago and left it with me, he knows how I operate and like to think things through,” the 30-year-old, 69-Test capped forward said. “We formalised it last week.”
“I informed a couple of close friends and family.”
He added: “When you think of the leaders who have gone before you, it’s quite humbling to be asked to captain the All Blacks, so it’s not something I took lightly.
“It’s a big responsibility, but I have two great leaders beside me in Ardie and Jordie, and I know we’ll have the full backing of the coaches.”
Tosi, the 140kg tight-head prop from the Hurricanes, rates as arguably the biggest bolter of the lot.
The 25-year-old was wearing his jocks and had to walk away from his kids when the phone buzzed.
“I was on edge all weekend, as soon as I saw that number I answered it, with my kids in the morning in my jocks. I chucked a movie on for them, one was getting a bit rattled and was throwing a tantrum. I answered the phone and it was Razor,” he said.
“It’s a feeling I can’t really put into words. I’m excited to learn and hopefully I’ll be able to pull on that jersey and do it proud.”
Scott Robertson’s first All Blacks squad:
Asafo Aumua, Beauden Barrett, Jordie Barett, Scott Barrett, George Bell, Ethan Blackadder, Finlay Christie, Caleb Clarke, Ethan de Groot, Samipeni Finau, Rieko Ioane, Luke Jacobson, Anton Lienert-Brown, Tyrel Lomax, Damian McKenzie, Emoni Narawa, Fletcher Newell, Dalton Papali’i, TJ Perenara, Stephen Perofeta, Billy Proctor, Cortez Ratima, Sevu Reece, Ardie Savea, Wallace Sititi, Codie Taylor, Mark Telea, Pasilio Tosi, Patrick Tuipulotu, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Tupou Vaa’i, Tamaiti Williams.
All Blacks’ 2024 test schedule (AEST)
Saturday July 6, 5.05pm – All Blacks v England, Forsyth Barr Stadium
Saturday July 13, 5.05pm – All Blacks v England, Eden Park
Saturday July 20, 12.30pm – All Blacks v Fiji, SnapDragon Stadium, San Diego
Saturday August 10, 5.05pm – All Blacks v Argentina (Rugby Championship), Sky Stadium, Wellington
Saturday August 17, 5.05pm – All Blacks v Argentina (Rugby Championship), Eden Park
August 31, TBC – All Blacks v South Africa (Rugby Championship), Johannesburg
September 7, TBC – All Blacks v South Africa (Rugby Championship), Cape Town
September 21, TBC – All Blacks v Australia (Rugby Championship), Sydney
September 28, 5.05pm – All Blacks v Australia (Rugby Championship), Sky Stadium
October 26, TBC – All Blacks v Japan, Yokohama
November 3, 1.10am – All Blacks v England, Twickenham
November 9, 1.10am – All Blacks v Ireland, Dublin
November 17, 9.10am – All Blacks v France, Paris
November 24, 9.10am – All Blacks v Italy, TBC
