All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has run out of patience with prolific winger Julian Savea, dropping him from the squad for the Rugby Championship.
The powerful back’s name is the most notable one missing from the 33-man group unveiled on Monday for the championship which begins with next week’s Test against Australia in Sydney.
There are recalls for Hurricanes outside back Nehe Milner-Skudder and prop Nepo Laulala, who both last played for New Zealand in 2015 before being struck down with serious injuries.
Hooker Dane Coles returns after missing the Lions series with concussion symptoms.
Hansen has otherwise resisted the urge to make changes from the squad which contested the drawn series against the British and Irish Lions.
Uncapped Chiefs prop Atu Moli, 22, is named as an “apprentice player”. The former New Zealand under-20 captain isn’t part of the official squad but will assemble and train with them.
Not considered were centre Malakai Fekitoa, first five-eighth Aaron Cruden and prop Charlie Faumuina after signing offshore contracts.
Halfback Tawera Kerr-Barlow will also leave for France later in the year but has been retained as the likely third-choice No.9.
Hansen singled out Julian Savea and flanker Matt Todd as unlucky to be cut.
Savea, the scorer of 46 tries from 54 Tests, has struggled this year, facing the Lions in the third Test only.
He also lacked zip with the Hurricanes and was named on the bench for their Super Rugby semi-final loss to the Lions.
Fullback Ben Smith will play the first two Tests before taking a sabbatical for the remainder of the year.
Versatile back Damian McKenzie is included, boasting an ability to cover fullback and first five-eighth, where Beauden Barrett and Lima Sopoaga are the only two candidates.
Hansen indicated there would be “new strategies” to handle the travelling component of the championship, indicating some senior players will be rested from the Test against Argentina in Buenos Aires on September 30.
“We’ve learnt since the introduction of Argentina that there is a massive travelling component to the championship, which comes at a cost at the end of the year,” he said.
“So we’ll be looking to implement some new strategies to try and overcome that.”
New Zealand squad
Backs: Ben Smith, Jordie Barrett, Israel Dagg, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Waisake Naholo, Rieko Ioane, Ryan Crotty, Anton Lienert-Brown, Sonny Bill Williams, Ngani Laumape, Beauden Barrett, Lima Sopoaga, Damian McKenzie, Aaron Smith, TJ Perenara, Tawera Kerr-Barlow
Forwards: Kieran Read (capt), Liam Squire, Jerome Kaino, Sam Cane, Ardie Savea, Vaea Fifita, Luke Romano, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Scott Barrett, Owen Franks, Nepo Laulala, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Wyatt Crockett, Joe Moody, Dane Coles, Codie Taylor, Nathan Harris.
Ben
Guest
...like your comment CUW that Vaea Fifita would never be an AB?? Because, you said, along with not being that good he was too small to...
cuw
Guest
u hear this from me first the next best 7 will be DILLON HUNT - HIghlanders :)
cuw
Guest
it was interesting for me that in the last two matches , he came on for seta and then was replaced again by seta . why i do not know , but i think he is not a good defender , though a fine attacker.
cuw
Guest
the NZ under 20 team had a very good 8 and a very good 2nd rower 8 Marino Mikaele-Tu’u - Hawke's Bay 4 Isaia Walker-Leawere - Wellington also the hooker Asafo Aumua - Wellington it will be interesting to see who will get these guys. already the chiefs have got hold of under 20 captain and 6 Luke Jacobson - Waikato
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Fionn, the issue regarding the 3 NZ No 7's (Cane, Todd and Savea) has had plenty of discussion... the following thread relates to an article written by Ben Strang might throw some light on these three. Ypu might have seen this, but in the event you hadn't, here it is. http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/rugby-world-cup/82528201/Digging-the-data-What-stats-reveal-about-the-All-Blacks-No-7-debate This was from 12 months ago but I believe still valid though the various stats could be updated ... It might also give some indication as to how Hansen views the patterns he wishes to play. Sam Cane, the incumbent if you like was immense against the BIL's a few weeks back. That is not to say that Ardie Savea was not good, he was, but the impact was I think far greater by Sam Cane. If stats were updated, it is possible that Canes value might be enhanced further following the BIL series. I also think that this is much more important when opposition forward packs are fresh and full of energy, what Cane does in blunting that assault I feel is greatly underestimated by fans but not the AB Coaches. Anyhow you make your own mind up on the merits of the three.
Fionn
Guest
I feel like the problem is that they have already backed the one horse for so long it is hard to then go back and change their mind and go for Todd. Idk, but I've felt for a couple of seasons that Todd is the better player, which isn't to disparage Cane at all, they're both class.
woodart
Guest
scott dixon? dont think so.
Shane D
Roar Rookie
Not saying that at all cuw. Cane is a more dominant tackler in my opinion. Todd is a fine defender but I think that Cane hits harder & stops the ball carrier behind the advantage line more often. The AB's are well served by both but Cane seems to be a better fit for the game plan Hansen is looking to implement.
Shane D
Roar Rookie
Definitely sees him as a 'point of difference' player RT. His ability to breach the line & offload is something Hansen wants there. The threat off it means that defences tend to hold on him for a moment or 2 which creates space out wider.
Shane D
Roar Rookie
Sid Going was a pretty typically sized 9 for the day RT. About 5'10" & 80 odd KG's.
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Mitch, the player I'd like to see if he can recover and develop further at No 12 is Charlie Ngatai provided he really is over his concussion issues... I think he has the range of skills that are superior to the others who have played No 12 since Ma'a Nonu departed for Toulon..
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Hey KK, I was just offering to do you a favour by getting Matt Todd more recognition! ... Simply you have too many AB's in the Crusaders pack and you can see Hansen, Foster and Fox saying ... "we better not include Toddy in the squad as the fans might look on us as favouring Crusaders players .. " But if Matt Todd was playing for the Blues, this bias would not be apparent. Then again, he might not get too many games to start, and have to sub on from the bench as we have Blake Gibson who is going to be on fire next year! .. It is ordained.
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
When 2017 season started I had high hopes that the Blues might make the playoffs.. that to me would have been progress. I thought Tana had recruited well for really his first year as head coach (2016 he inherited a lot of previous coaches squad and contracts). Akira Ioane, I always had looked at a natural replacement for Kaino. I do not believe No 8 is A Ioane's best position, I might be wrong and without being unkind, I'm not sure he has the coordination to be a 'great No 8' but he has the size and physicality to be a good No 6. Until Umaga can unearth a new No 8, that might be where Akira might need to play while Kaino holds his position as blind side. Akira had a great game for the NZ Maori against BIL Steven Luatua (everyone knows I've been a champion for his abilities) to me was a natural replacement at higher honours to replace Read at No 8 due to his athletic skills but he could also play No 6 or lock... I believe that his departure will leave a huge void in the Blues pack as well as NZ Rugby. I almost went into mourning when he signed with Bristol, he has not yet reached his prime. Both Black and Perofeta had good tours with U20s and I look forward to their further development. I know I have been most unkind to Ihaia West but he was not clicking with the Blues and it was better for both him and the franchise that he moved on. I wish him luck with the Hurricanes. The lack of balance you refer to is more, I believe is the want for decent on-field leadership. Parsons is not the right guy. All this about the Blues is for another discussion in a few months time. Tana Umaga came onboard as really, a rookie head coach at this level, his first year was disjointed, due to inheriting what the prior coaches left for him. He was feeling his way. His support staff was a little foreign to him too, his relationship with Paul Feeney didn't work out so the road has had a few twists and turns. 2018 is his third year and he has to crystallise the promise that he has been entrusted with ... we shall see.
Kia Kaha
Roar Guru
cuw just some friendly banter between a Blues tragic and a Crusader hero. ;) Bridge is prone to mistakes but he is a valuable asset to the team and has good pace and an eye for the try line. I enjoyed watching him in the South African games in particular.
cuw
Guest
Luatua leaving will be a good thing for Akira - its upto him to make a name and getinto the allblacks as the replacement for Read. im not sold on Black to step up in just one year. Perofeta not sure at all. i notice that Chiefs grabbed Tiaan Falcon - nice replacement for Cruden. it will be interesting to see how Blues recruit for 2018. i really think over the last few years the squad has never been balanced.
cuw
Guest
sure u want to give up the " most improved player " - as awarded by crusaders?
cuw
Guest
@ Shane D so are u saying when Matt todd played the defence has been not good? i cannot remember him having a bad game for all blacks - its easy to remember coz they are so few :)
cuw
Guest
that and the fact that he had last played at 10 in itm cup like 6 months back. thought it was silly and unfair on the player , given the maori side is also like a ba ba side , who have not played much together....
double agent
Guest
cuw to be fair to DMac the Maori forwards copped a hammering that night. No 10 looks good when that happens.
MitchO
Guest
I reckon they need to pick Laumpe whilst he's monstering people coz it may not last forever. SBW can sit on the bench or somewhere. He's still a very good 12 but he's at the back end of this career.