Starters in Dunedin, Ian Foster has left out Chiefs back-rower Samipeni Finau and outside back Shaun Stevenson in his 33-man All Blacks World Cup squad.
There is no room for Brad Weber either, with Finlay Christie instead preferred.
Foster named the most experienced World Cup squad of all time (1,493 caps), featuring seven World Cup winners on Monday evening. Eighteen forwards and 15 backs were included.
There are three hookers, six props and four locks in the squad. Interestingly, Foster opted for just five back-rowers meaning Scott Barrett and Tupou Vaa’i could yet find themselves at blindside flanker.
Brodie Retallick was picked despite the World Cup-winner set to miss the opening couple of weeks of the tournament after coming off in the first half of Saturday’s 23-20 win over the Wallabies in Dunedin with a knee-injury. It means he will miss the All Blacks’ opener against France.
“Brodie’s knee is probably about a six-week [injury], but we’re not 100 per cent sure,” Foster said.
“Whether it’ll be round-one, round-two of the World Cup we’re not sure. But we really believe he’s earned his selection and we can manage that.”
Wingers Caleb Clarke, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Mark Telea and Emoni Narawa were each been named in the squad, which will compete with Will Jordan, who could also feature at fullback, for a place out wide.
Christie is one of three halfbacks in the squad, with Aaron Smith the favourite to start. Cam Roigard, who made his debut in the All Blacks’ 38-7 win over the Wallabies at the MCG, has also been included.
There are three No.10 options, with Richie Mo’unga to compete with versatile backs Beauden Barrett and Damian McKenzie. Barrett is the favourite to wear the No.15 jersey despite Jordan’s starring role in Bledisloe II.
Fit-again David Havili, meanwhile, comes in as one of four midfielders following Braydon Ennor’s injury on Saturday.
Sam Cane, who missed the Bledisloe opener in Melbourne, has been named captain. Ardie Savea is also in the squad and is likely to start in the back-row alongside the Chiefs openside flanker.
All Blacks head coach Ian Foster (L) and captain Sam Cane following their Bledisloe Cup win in Dunedin. (Photo by Peter Meecham/Getty Images)
Foster revealed the squad in Napier, with two-time World Cup winner Richie McCaw naming the squad.
The All Blacks are coming off an unbeaten start to the 2023, having locked away the Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup.
Foster said he was confident the All Blacks were on track to push for a fourth Webb Ellis Cup.
“You can never be 100 per cent in this business,” he said.
“We all know what World Cups are like. We’ve just seen that in football with the USA team getting knocked out. We’ve seen it a netball. We know in World Cups you’ve just got to go and perform on the stage. Am I confident of where we’re at? Very confident.”
They will take on the Springboks at Twickenham on the final weekend of August, before taking on France at the Stade de France in Paris to kick start the World Cup on September 8.
Foster has called up Weber, Finau and 21-year-old hooker George Bell for the match against the Springboks, saying it was “always the plan to add three more for training reasons”.
The All Blacks have named 18 forwards in their 33-man World Cup squad. (Photo by Joe Allison/Getty Images)
Crusaders duo Joe Moody and Ethan Blackadder weren’t included after picking up injuries recently.
Asked how close the pair were, Foster said “very close”.
“They’ve both unfortunately got re-injuries the last couple of weeks and that’s sort of set them back a little bit,” the All Blacks boss said.
“We really felt, particularly like with Ethan, he’s not due to play for another sort three or four weeks. Moods is sooner than that. He’s about two weeks’ time.
“But with the combination of his time off and our program, having to go into that first part of this World Cup fully loaded, we just really want him to go and get some game time in the meantime. We’ve got a lot of faith, he’s a special player and he’s done a lot in this All Blacks jersey and hopefully there’s going to be an opportunity later for him.”
Brodie Retallick will miss around six weeks following his knee-injury against the Wallabies at Forsyth Barr Stadium on August 05, 2023 in Dunedin. (Photo by Joe Allison/Getty Images)
World Cup winner Sir John Kirwan said he was surprised to see so many wingers in the squad but admitted there were few bombshell selections.
“For me, Finau, I thought he had done enough and I thought he played really, really well on the weekend,” Kirwan said on Sky’s The Breakdown.
“I’m ecstatic for Caleb Clarke because I thought he was going to be guy that might miss out because of the mix. They have taken a lot of outside backs.
“Moody, I thought might be taken for experience.”
ALL BLACKS SQUAD
Forwards: Scott Barrett, Sam Cane (c), Dane Coles, Ethan de Groot, Shannon Frizell, Luke Jacobson, Nepo Laulala, Tyrel Lomax, Fletcher Newell, Dalton Papalii, Brodie Retallick, Ardie Savea, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Codie Talyor, Ofa Tuʻungafasi, Tupou Vaa’i, Sam Whitelock, Tamiati Williams
Backs: Beauden Barrett, Jordie Barrett, Finlay Christie, Caleb Clarke, Leicester Fainga’anuku, David Havili, Rieko Ioane, Will Jordan, Anton Lienert-Brown, Damian McKenzie, Richie Mo’unga, Emoni Narawa, Cam Roigard, Aaron Smith, Mark Telea
Andrew Nichols
Roar Rookie
The true farce of the Christie selection is the fact that if Smith got injured out of the tourney prior to a playoff, Weber would be straight into the team at 9 with Roigard on the bench. Everyone knows there isnt the proverbial snowballs chance that theyd risk both the rookies in such a game.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
If you’re tired of hearing it, imagine how tired some of us are of getting accused of it by the ignorant few? Also, stuck record? When was the last time I said anything this other than fact checking false claims? Truely I’m curious…
4 of 6
Roar Rookie
If Moody is only two weeks away from playing, l would have taken him instead of Laulau or Ofa, keep Williams because he can play both sides of the scrum. Weber in , Christie out . Finau in. Dallas McLeod in , Havili and Clarke out.
Paul Jackson
Roar Rookie
They have more areas of growth than inspector gadget!
RayinSydney
Roar Rookie
Nope, nothing your missing, the team of 5 Million are also wondering why Christie got a plane ticket, well everyone except Mr and Mrs Christie senior of course. Roigard, he’s the future.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
A poet and you didnt ........... :laughing:
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Can Finau play 12????? :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
Jacko
Roar Rookie
I dont get how Havili made this squad. Done nothing, been injured.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Its always a gamble Ankle.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
I really do question how Bell makes it as the 4th choice hooker. Aumua had a good SR season. Seems we choose on potential a lot these days.
Dusty10
Roar Rookie
'91 Wallabies were not considered world class in many positions BEFORE the tournament, Andrew. Horan and Little were relative newcomers, Edgerton was "tradesmanlike", Campese was often lampooned as a "flawed genius" who was too unreliable. They became recognised as "world class" after they became world champions. From memory, that team only beat the ABs once over the several years leading up to the tournament. I'd also point out that Skelton, Kerevi, and Ikitau are already up there in conversations (and no, I'm not just talking with myself!) about being among the best in the world. Nawaqinitawase is up with Will Jordan as the form test winger in the southern hemisphere, and nobody can say Valetini is not up to test standard. He's GOOD. So, yes, I dare to dream. These players can play. If they spend enough time together, injury free, and EJ gives them a game plan that suits them, they'll become a winning team.
moaman
Roar Guru
Getting through the QF looks to be a greater hurdle than progressing through the semi. If we win the first knock out, I'd be disappointed not to make the final.
moaman
Roar Guru
Thinking more like Olympus Mons, then Kosciuszko and finally, Everest.
Olly
Roar Rookie
Not sure about this having to carry extra props. Given the games requirements around playing prop, to me it seems like calling in an extra props due to injuries would have zero resistance. Calling a backrow into the squad due to injuries would be far more complicated to me.
moaman
Roar Guru
Havili offers extreme versatility and that could be very useful in a tournament format. He could potentially protect a few players carrying minor niggles. Hard to see them switching the midfield at this late stage barring injuries so......
KCR
Roar Rookie
Being a former forward I don’t really understand how the backline works but I can’t understand why Christie and Roigard are there while Weber isn’t. Watching Saturdays game I thought the difference in play speed was noticeable when Christie was replaced, I also thought Weber had a better Super Rugby campaign. Is there something I’m missing, is there a game plan that Christie is better able to carry out? I’m stumped at this selection and have been this Rugby Championship to be honest. But other than that, and maybe swapping Finau for one of the wingers, fairly happy with the squad I like the experience of the team. Kia Kaha bring it home.
moaman
Roar Guru
Samoa 18/14 and yet to announce their 33rd player. Mooted to be a prop.
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
He'll definitely be here, even if he isn't selected. Weber won't.
Rocky's Rules
Roar Rookie
@ozinsa Even if we call Bled 2 a trial I thought Stevenson played himself IN. He's better than Clarke imo :thumbup: But either way this squad is still plenty good enough to win the RWC....
Riccardo
Roar Rookie
Great squad. Disappointed for Moody, Blackadder, Stevenson, Lord. George Bell, Samipeni Finau and Brad Weber will travel to the World Cup as back-ups. Given the attrition rate at World Cups you wouldn't bet against one, or all being involved. As a critic of the coach selection process, the disjointed nature of the team and Foster himself, I have dine on some humble pie. The All Blacks are building nicely, have some depth and appear well prepared in game-plan and handling some adversity. The matches against the more elite teams will be a lot about playing off the ball and as usual, back row and centre combinations primary but even they appear to be in a better space. Best of luck fellas; the whole country is behind you.