Ian Foster handed the All Blacks captaincy to veteran lock Sam Whitelock, selected four new caps and devised a patchwork solution to a shortage of midfield options in his 35-man squad for home Tests next month against Tonga and Fiji.
With his most experienced midfield duo of Anton Lienert-Brown and Jack Goodhue both injured and with Ngangi Laumape about to leave to play in France, Foster faced a lean choice of candidates at Nos.12 and 13 for New Zealand.
Foster announced the squad on Monday.
Goodhue is likely out for the season after rupturing knee ligaments but Lienert-Brown may be back in time for the second Fiji Test after undergoing elbow surgery. Laumape, who is widely regarded as New Zealand’s form No.12 this season, has been repeatedly overlooked by Foster.
After being offered a reduced contract by New Zealand Rugby, he has decided his future lies elsewhere.
Foster has followed the Crusaders in moving David Havili to centre from fullback, where he last played for the All Blacks four years ago.
He has again switched Rieko Ioane from the wing to centre, though the experiment failed the last time it was tried at international level.
Whitelock will be rejoined by his regular locking partner Brodie Retallick, who is back from Japan and restores New Zealand depth.
He takes over the captaincy from Sam Cane, who is sidelined with a pectoral muscle injury.
“He’s hugely experienced, not just as a player but also as a leader and he has great connections with Sam Cane and the leaders in the team as well,” Foster said.
ALL BLACKS SQUAD
Forwards: Asafo Aumua, Dane Coles, Codie Taylor, George Bower, Ethan de Groot, Nepo Laulala, Tyrel Lomax, Angus Ta’avao, Karl Tu’inukuafe, Scott Barrett, Brodie Retallick, Patrick Tuipulotu, Tupou Vaa’i, Sam Whitelock. Ethan Blackadder. Shannon Frizell, Akira Ioane, Luke Jacobson, Dalton Papalii, Ardie Savea, Hoskins Sotutu. Backs: Aaron Smith, Brad Weber. Beauden Barrett, Richie Mo’unga. Braydon Ennor, David Havili, Rieko Ioane, Anton Lienert-Brown, Quinn Tupaea. Jordie Barrett, George Bridge, Will Jordan, Damian McKenzie, Sevu Reece.
Smiggle Jiggle
Roar Guru
How Tom Robinson did not make the cut? Best 6 for me, brains and brawn. Not very often do you get both.
100%. There arnt any Nonu's around and its time we changed what a 12s role is. Pick the best 12 not the biggest one.
Riccardo
Roar Rookie
I rate Havili and think he and Anton back at 13 could be excellent. Ngani is too inconsistent, especially at the next level; Ma'a he aint... Nonu was a great 12 and, for me probably the best player in the game around 2015, but he had a lot of strings to his bow that took time to develop.
Emery Ambrose
Roar Rookie
I love the team naming, builds anticipation for the coming tests. I feel we’re going to see some top individual performances, guys going for starting positions.
Wayne
Roar Rookie
I see there are more rumblings about the Springboks inclusion in to the Six Nations, only this time from multiple more reliable sources. Yes, no, maybe, well what is it? There is also still the problem of various so called journalists that still insist on bringing up that SA Rugby made a commitment to SANZAR to 2030. The latest rumblings on the 6N put a big question mark on the journalist's credibility. IMO think they should actually go and ask SA Rugby directly if this commitment was made or not? I for one have not been able to obtain any conclusive evidence of this commitment actually being made by SA Rugby. People in rugby circles & journalists I have asked all say no it has not. At this rate we are going to hear about another NZR backed Aratipu review on the RC before we get any answers. If they can’t get there due to covid then maybe the journalists can go and ask the NZR what their plans are? If SA Rugby leaves then what? Will Argentina stay? Will the RC expand to include the likes of Japan and the 3PI’s?
Im looking forward to seeing Havili and Tupaea at 12 Ben. Its time we selected 12s instead of looking for the next Nonu. As an older ABs fan I remember the playmakers at 12 that we once had and cant see why a large bulldozer at 12 is compulsory anymore.
Ben
Guest
Im with Jacko re Laumape. He runs hot and cold. When hes hot, hes piping hot. But those games are few and far between. Hes never really played a great test imo. ...and by the way. Its Ngani not Ngangi.