Fit-again captain Kieran Read has been restored to the All Blacks and will lead a powerful squad in twin Bledisloe Cup Tests this month.
Coach Steve Hansen sprung few surprises in unveiling a 33-man squad for the Rugby Championship, with Read, hooker Dane Coles, lock Brodie Retallick and prop Tim Perry additions to the squad that swept France 3-0 in June.
There are 10 players from the freshly-crowned Super Rugby champion Crusaders, including Read, who hasn’t played a Test since last November when he suffered a serious back injury.
The 109-Test No.8 reclaims the leadership from lock Sam Whitelock ahead of the opening Test against the Wallabies in Sydney next week.
Read’s return is a straight swap with injured loose forward Jordan Taufua (broken arm).
While Read took part in the final weeks of the Crusaders’ charge to a ninth title, Coles hasn’t played at any level since rupturing knee ligaments nine months ago.
He is still recuperating and will miss both opening Tests against Australia, along with inside centre Sonny Bill Williams (shoulder).
Three Hurricanes players have been dropped from the French series – midfield back Ngani Laumape, lock/flanker Vaea Fifita and prop Jeff Toomaga Allen.
Laumape and hooker Liam Coltman will join the squad as injury cover for Williams and Coles.
Toomaga-Allen is replaced by Perry, who missed the French series with a hamstring injury.
Perry and third-ranked halfback Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi are the only uncapped players.
Retallick withdrew late from the French series with injury but is poised to end 11 months out of the Test arena.
“The selectors found this an incredibly difficult squad to select,” Hansen said.
“It has to be noted that there are some very good players who have not made the squad.
“One of the positives of having such a talented pool to select from is that it creates natural competition, That competition should remove any feelings of complacency within our playing group.”
Backs: Jordie Barrett, Ben Smith, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Waisake Naholo, Rieko Ioane, Jack Goodhue, Anton Lienert-Brown, Ryan Crotty, Sonny Bill Williams, Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie, Richie Mo’unga, Aaron Smith, TJ Perenara, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi.
Forwards: Kieran Read (capt), Luke Whitelock, Sam Cane, Ardie Savea, Liam Squire, Shannon Frizell, Jackson Hemopo, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Scott Barrett, Joe Moody, Tim Perry, Karl Tu’inukuafe, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Owen Franks, Codie Taylor, Nathan Harris, Dane Coles.
canadiankiwi
Guest
12 Crotty and 13 Goodhue. MIdfied solved.
canadiankiwi
Guest
Akira is LAZY. He hits very few rucks and makes very few tackles per game at Super Rugby. This is despite being told by All Black coaches he needs to his improve his work rate last season. Akira also has developed a bad habit of taking trail balls from a stand still and flat as opposed to sprinting on the pass from depth. Akira had the chance to move to the Hurricanes and Chiefs for Super Rugby in 2019 but rejected it as he is too comfortable living at home in Auckland and does not want to be competing for a starting position where as Blues have no choice but to start him.
Machooka
Roar Guru
Good appraisal Kia Kaha... especially your concerns (and mine) about the center pairings as it’s the only issue for any real concern eh? Suffice to say... solid selection. And one that should put the fear into any opposition. Anywhere! ;)
robert
Guest
sorry ben but hansen did mention bridge, said he would be an ab in the future
Kane
Guest
Logic has no place on the roar ;)
Kane
Guest
Well George Ayoub was the TMO, Garces made the call from the sideline, he had seen only what Poite had seen on the big screen. That change of call was Poites decision. You're correct Garces did make some dubious calls in the previous test.
taylorman
Roar Guru
I see Mitchells joining Eddie with England. Think Ill go put some early lay off buks on england in the world cup because thats the sort of warped combination that could work for England. with Mitchell finally getting his hands on some real money and resource, he brings a wealth of learning and the two losing coaches of 2003 now team together to back the winner that year. Whod have thought that would happened back then! In bringing in Mitchell Jones brings in similar shock factor as he himself brought in two years ago. Now everyones used to his antics, mitchell brings that same freshness and unfamiliarity, and, like Jones, hes pretty good first up, and, like Jones, everyone will eventually want rid of him. The two biggest shock jock nomadic coaches in the same setup, England wont know whats hit them... again. But they could win it on that basis. Attitude over theory hit town when jones replaced Lancaster, whos reasoned approach didnt fire the team up enough, no matter how good the theories and organisation was. Mitchell brings more of that while Jones wanes. Issue for the England side is whether theyll allow themselves to get sucked in a second time. With these two barking at the helm, they may have no choice. Its crazy enough to get them those knockout wins. Off to the bookie. If I have to watch these two clowns win it, I want them to pay me?
Ralph
Roar Guru
So long as Izzy doesn't illegally body slam players in the air, Tongan Thor scrums square instead of angles and starts to support his own body weight instead of sleeping on breakdowns the Wallabies might lose their award for most penalised side. I am absolutely against neck rolls, although I think they should police all those incidents and not just Pocock. Mind you it would be nice if he went through the gate and let go of the ball occasionally when it's a ruck. Wow, things are so easy and black and white in this world.
Tipene Roar
Roar Rookie
Ha after getting owned at home by Ireland
Tipene Roar
Roar Rookie
I hope that the 81 is not your birth year because if it is...Grow up !!
Jimbo81
Guest
As long as Izzy is allowed to compete fairly in the air, Tongan Thor is rewarded for scrum dominance and penalties happen when Pocock is neck rolled, Australia is winning the Bledisloe and World Cup. If the above doesn’t happen and NZ are given preferential treatment as per status quo, they will Win. Then we will have stories about superior mental strength, greatest team of all time and everyone else Is just whingers
Jacko
Guest
yeah still young yet..plenty of time...The other guy who does not get much attention but is going fantastic is Thompson from the Highlanders.....
taylorman
Roar Guru
Hes in as SBW cover now.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Well thats was obvious from his selections. Still dont agree Lams the better prospect long term. Havent seen anything of his kicking or passing, linking game, inside runs etc. Seems content to wait for the ball and run.
Riccardo
Guest
It was Garces call from the TMO booth actually. And he also made some dubious rulings in the previous Test. Not that this disproves your point; Poite had the onfield whistle. This is Jimbo's blinkered vision of rugby unfortunately - any thread that mentions the All Blacks carries this misnomer...
Lion Brown
Guest
Maybe but I'm of the opinion he would be better served learning and improving at NPC level - of the fullbacks in the NZ SR teams he would maybe make blues - the other 3 sides all have better fullbacks
Lion Brown
Guest
Because its clear he's not up to playing centre at this level - sure that was where he played at school etc but his tackling technique and positioning isn't up to it
Ben
Guest
Yes he has had a lot of injuries this season and has spent the better part of the season injured. Didnt make the eoyt either through injury as well. Then when it looked like he was finally fit and well again he got that late high shot against the Brumbies I think it was and it knobbled his knee as well as concussed him, putting him out again.Injuries, form and father time........
Sylvester
Guest
It's interesting because people said the same about Ben Smith when he was first selected too. I see Bridge being similar in that he's stronger and more elusive than he appears, runs good support lines, and certainly doesn't lack speed over distance. If's he's this good next year, he should overtake at least NMS.
Kia Kaha
Roar Guru
We lost some very good props to injury and somehow managed to find some who were just as good if not better in the scrum. Really pleasing depth there. Dane Coles will be eased back and the front row looks impressive. Scott Barrett's rise this year is a real revelation. Suddenly we have the ability to rest up the amazing duo who probably work the hardest aerobically given their incredible work rate. The backup is definitely a drop-off in talent but there are certainly options. Kieran Read is a welcome return and interestingly a strength for quite some time for NZ looks like their weakest area at the moment. Plenty of options but cementing some combinations and getting the execution right is certainly a priority. Ben Lam is a prime example of form is temporary but class is permanent. At the start of the Super season he could do no wrong. It's certainly good for Riko Ioane to think he has someone gunning for his spot but the Blues winger is a proven attacking weapon and his brief sojourn at centre won't stunt his attacking intent on the wing for the ABs. I guess the same line is being taken with Jordie but I think he's bulked up for centres and that isn't a good thing for fullback in terms of pace. Ioane doesn't have that problem as he's a speed machine and sufficiently powerful as he is wherever he plays. Mo'unga's time will come. In a way Hansen is protecting him as you don't want a horror performance to take away your confidence. Beauden Barrett served his apprenticeship on the bench and I hope that Richie gets time there this RC and McKenzie is a super sub as well. But then again, Ioane showed that you can have hot form and break into the test arena but flyhallf is a far more technical position. With SBW out injured for two tests, I'm surprised to see Laumape didn't make it. I don't like a Crotty ALB combination and it's a shame Seta Tamanivalu is off to France as I think he could've been a better version of SBW in the 13 jersey outside Crotty. He really did some damage there for the Crusaders when Crotty was out. The centres combination is still unsettled for me along with the back row but there are pleasingly lots of options, even though that can be sometimes a curse. NMS can consider himself fortunate but I can see the point in perseverance from an experience point of view. All in all, a lot to be happy about. A few areas to focus on but a formidable squad with versatility and strike power off the bench. Go you good things.