The All Blacks will bring over 38 players to Australia for their final four Tests of the year, although not all of the squad will depart together this Sunday.
Back-rower Ardie Savea and prop Nepo Laualala have taken paternity leave and will be late arrivals for the Tri Nations. Both could miss Bledisloe 3 on October 31 after an All Blacks statement said they would meet up with the rest of the side “in the following week or two” after the squad leaves New Zealand this weekend.
George Bower has been brought into the travelling group as cover at prop, with Laualala’s fellow front-rower Joe Moody also in doubt for the ANZ Stadium match after being knocked out during the 27-7 victory at Eden Park this past weekend. Loose forward Du’Plessis Kirifi has been added as back-up for his Hurricanes teammate Savea.
Other than the additions of Kirifi and Bower, there are minimal changes to the side initially named by New Zealand for their home Bledisloe Cup matches. Ngani Laumape and Scott Barrett were late additions to that group, with Barrett playing last weekend following Sam Whitelock’s injury, and both will make the trip to Australia.
With Quinten Strange still out with an ankle injury, Mitchell Dunshea has officially been included amongst the locks, and Peter Umaga-Jensen will also travel with the side after making his Test debut on Sunday.
The hookers, halfbacks, five-eighths and outside backs all remain unchanged.
Hookers
Asafo Aumua, Dane Coles and Codie Taylor
Props
George Bower, Alex Hodgman, Nepo Laulala, Tyrel Lomax, Joe Moody, Karl Tu’inukuafe, and Ofa Tuungafasi.
Locks
Scott Barrett, Mitchell Dunshea, Patrick Tuipulotu, Tupou Vaa’i and Samuel Whitelock
Loose forwards
Sam Cane (c), Shannon Frizell, Cullen Grace, Akira Ioane, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Dalton Papalii, Ardie Savea and Hoskins Sotutu
Halfbacks
TJ Perenara, Aaron Smith and Brad Weber
Five-eighths
Beauden Barrett and Richie Mo’unga
Midfielders
Jack Goodhue, Rieko Ioane, Ngani Laumape, Anton Lienert-Brown and Peter Umaga-Jensen
Outside backs
Jordie Barrett, Caleb Clarke, Will Jordan, Damian McKenzie and Sevu Reece
Tom
Guest
To easy give dusty greatest AFL finals player a game. while Ardie on family stuff. Scotty won supercars one weekend of to Indy cars the next. Well done young men.
Phantom
Roar Rookie
Especially against England with no tackle Farrell defending .
Phantom
Roar Rookie
Boshier was head and shoulders the best flanker. No arguments
Republican
Guest
Wouldn't matter who they added, in my life time, its same as it ever was when it comes to Australia v NZ at Union. There is absolutely zero anticipation or expectation for the average punter, believe me (aside from the Kiwi sadists and Ozzie denialist). To say this sporting non contest devolves more Ground Hog Day by the year, would be putting it mildly.
Pundit
Roar Guru
ill have a back-row mix of Cane, Svea, and Sotutu
Tony
Guest
No imo Shags biggest mistake was leaving out Laumape - we had absolutely knowone to create holes and chaos in oppostiton backline defences. Thats what he specialises in
Tony
Guest
agree
Tony
Guest
What a great idea - imagine the chaos in opposition defences
Shane D
Roar Rookie
Muzzo, I think they have preferred Kirifi for his ball running in this instance. Looking to replace what Savea brings to the team with a similar player.
Shane D
Roar Rookie
I see Kirifi as more of a like for like player for Savea than Boshier. Kirifis ball running is more in the mould of a Savea. If they were looking to replace Cane I could see Boshier being preferred.
Ai Ruisheng
Guest
And the number six got a lot of steals! Was he playing seven?
CUW
Roar Rookie
Squire went to Japan - will he come back and give up the deal? if he had to come it was this year coz the Season was cancelled few g
CUW
Roar Rookie
if stats was the criterion then Dillon Hunt was better than Boshier in super rugger Tackles Hunt 100 Frizzell 98 Kirifi 95 Turnovers Hunt 10 Boshier 9 Akira 7 Carrys Dmac 99 Sowakula 95 Marino 94 to bad for HIghlanders Hunt went to Blues :D
CUW
Roar Rookie
i think the best 7 in miter 10 is a guy called Adrian Choat - Auckland . they said so far he has tackle stat 44 / 44 - none missed !!! he has come back from England - Bears under Pat Lam.
zubrick
Roar Rookie
great squad..4 zip i reckon all such fine atheletes with no doubt their roles drummed into each sadly our best are playing in the AFL and NRL our only hope is to outplay them in the brain department over to you mr rennie
Ben
Guest
https://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/rugby-world-cup/rwc-2019-japan/115797342/rugby-world-cup-steve-hansen-reveals-why-he-couldnt-call-on-liam-squire
Highlander
Guest
To be fair, Kirifi did top the penalties conceded table Funny things stats eh
Scotty P
Roar Rookie
As a tackler. Doesn't make dominant hits although Frizell is pretty much the same and they pick him.
Highlander
Guest
Show me the stats from SRA that go any where showing Kirifi is the best 7 Didnt make the turnovers list at all And behind Dillon Hunt for tackles - hes a good player, best 7 in SRA, not by some distance
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Well mate. Josh plays his rugby south of the Waitaki. Cheers