Dave Rennie recalls Richie Mo’unga and Jordie Barrett and promotes new faces as Codie Taylor captains the All Blacks in Europe.
All Blacks (4.00) coach Dave Rennie has named a 36-man squad for the November leg of the Nations Championship. Codie Taylor captains the group, which plays Scotland, Wales and England before the finals.
New Faces And Returning Players
Hooker George Bell, prop Saula Ma’u and loose forwards Leicester Fainga’anuku and Christian Lio-Willie join the squad. Eight players return from injury. They are Jordie Barrett, Richie Mo’unga, Anton Lienert-Brown, Quinn Tupaea, Ethan Blackadder, Anton Segner, Asafo Aumua and Fehi Fineanganofo.
Chay Fihaki, Jamie Hannah and Ma’u are named in the squad for the first time. All three had previously served as injury cover. Ma’u and Josh Jacomb are the only players yet to earn a Test cap.
Rennie praised the new additions: “They have all shown fantastic form during the NPC,” he said.
Injuries Shape All Blacks’ Selection Process
The injury list is long. Samisoni Taukei’aho (calf), Shannon Frizell (knee), Tyrel Lomax (neck), Leroy Carter (ankle) and Ruben Love (ankle) are all out. Ardie Savea (shoulder), Luke Jacobson (elbow), Caleb Clarke (shoulder) and Ollie Norris (knee) also miss the tour. Simon Parker is unavailable for personal reasons.
Savea’s absence is why Taylor captains the team. Mo’unga has recovered from a calf tear that ruled him out of the Bledisloe Cup. He will not play against Scotland, because that match comes too soon. He could return against Wales or England. His comeback gives New Zealand more options at flyhalf, alongside Damian McKenzie and Josh Jacomb.
Fainga’anuku’s New Role
Fainga’anuku returns in a new position. The winger-turned-loose-forward broke his leg late in the Crusaders’ Super Rugby campaign. He has 12 Test caps and has not yet played for New Zealand under Rennie.
Under Rob Penney, he switched to the loose forwards and became a nuisance at the ruck. Rennie wants to use him off the bench in a flexible hybrid role. He has not played much lately.
“It’s less than we would have liked,” Rennie said. “Still, it’s better to have him in the group,” he added.
Who Misses Out
Several notable players miss the cut. Patrick Tuipulotu, Sam Darry, Du’Plessis Kirifi and Emoni Narawa are all left out. Kyren Taumoefolau, who scored 19 tries in 11 starts for Tasman, also misses selection. He became eligible in October. Rennie said he needs to improve his defence.
“His job will be to have a really big Super season next year,” the coach said. Rennie also looked ahead to the matches. “Playing Scotland, Wales and England on consecutive weekends is a tough assignment,” he said. “We will embrace the challenge.”
The games fall on the 7th, 14th and 21st of November.
The Squad
Backs (16): Cam Roigard, Kyle Preston, Cortez Ratima, Richie Mo’unga, Damian McKenzie, Josh Jacomb, Jordie Barrett, Quinn Tupaea, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Anton Lienert-Brown, Rieko Ioane, Chay Fihaki, Fehi Fineanganofo, Josh Moorby, Will Jordan, Beauden Barrett.
Forwards (20): Codie Taylor (captain), Asafo Aumua, George Bell, Ethan de Groot, George Bower, Xavier Numia, Fletcher Newell, Pasilio Tosi, Saula Ma’u, Scott Barrett, Josh Lord, Fabian Holland, Jamie Hannah, Tupou Vaa’i, Anton Segner, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Ethan Blackadder, Christian Lio-Willie, Peter Lakai, Wallace Sititi.
