ADVERTISEMENT
RugbyDump
REGISTER
LOGIN
ADVERTISEMENT
RugbyDump
Tuesday Jul 2, 2019

Four new caps and some stars left out as extended All Blacks squad is named for Rugby Championship

Steve Hansen has named exciting Crusaders outside backs Sevu Reece and Braydon Ennor among four new faces in his first All Blacks squad of the year. The 39 man squad is for the first two Tests of the Rugby Championship.

ADVERTISEMENT

Reece and Ennor join Highlanders five-eighth Josh Ioane and Chiefs flanker Luke Jacobson as the uncapped players in a powerful squad.

“On behalf of the selectors, we want to congratulate the four new All Blacks named today – Luke, Josh, Braydon and Sevu,” said head coach Hansen.

“They’ve all performed to very high levels this year and played some outstanding rugby. It’s a special time being named in the All Blacks for the first time and they and their families can be proud of what they’ve achieved. We also congratulate the returning All Blacks and commiserate with those players who haven’t been named. As always, history has shown us opportunities will arise.”

Hansen has dropped a handful of established players, most notably winger Waisake Naholo, flanker Liam Squire and hooker Nathan Harris.

There was also no room for Ma’a Nonu, the veteran midfield back having returned to New Zealand from Toulon this year in a bid to win selection for another World Cup, having been a key member of the victorious teams in 2011 and 2015.

Hansen said Squire had made himself unavailable because of fitness concerns, while others simply missed out for form reasons.

ADVERTISEMENT

“Whilst we know they’ve been good All Blacks in the past, people have challenged us to say ‘you’ve got to look at me’,” he said.

ALL BLACKS SQUAD

Backs: Ben Smith, Jordie Barrett, George Bridge, Rieko Ioane, Sevu Reece*, Braydon Ennor, Jack Goodhue, Anton Lienert-Brown, Sonny Bill Williams, Ngani Laumape, Beauden Barrett, Richie Mo’unga, Josh Ioane*, Aaron Smith, TJ Perenara, Brad Weber.

Forwards: Kieran Read (capt), Ardie Savea, Sam Cane, Matt Todd, Luke Jacobson*, Dalton Papali’i, Shannon Frizell, Vaea Fifita, Jackson Hemopo, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Patrick Tuipulotu, Owen Franks, Nepo Laulala, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Angus Ta’avao, Joe Moody, Karl Tu’inukuafe, Atu Moli, Dane Coles, Codie Taylor, Liam Coltman, Asafo Aumua*.
(*uncapped)

None of the squad’s 11 Crusaders players will face the Pumas in Buenos Aires on July 20 as they will be given extra rest after this weekend’s Super Rugby final.

It means Reece and Ennor will need to wait for a potential debut against South Africa a week later. The pair have been among the standout attacking backs in Super Rugby, with Fiji-born Reece scorching to a competition-leading 15 tries.

ADVERTISEMENT

The squad will be trimmed to 34 after the Test against South Africa, heading into twin clashes with the Wallabies in August.

Kieran Read is restored as captain, while cross code star Sonny Bill Williams retains a midfield spot despite an injury-plagued year which has forced him to play club rugby in recent weeks to get some miles under the belt.

Brad Weber is recalled at halfback after a strong Super Rugby campaign, usurping his Chiefs team-mate Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi.

Hansen said the squad would have numbered 41 if Crusaders pair Ryan Crotty and Scott Barrett hadn’t suffered hand injuries which will sideline them both for at least six weeks. Tim Perry and Damian McKenzie were also not considered due to injury.

The Rugby Championship – All Blacks Tests

1. vs. ARGENTINA. Saturday 20 July, 3.05PM (6.05AM, Sunday 21 July NZT), Jose Amalfitani Stadium (Estadio Velez Sarsfield), BUENOS AIRES
2. vs. SOUTH AFRICA. Saturday 27 July, 7.35PM, Westpac Stadium, WELLINGTON
3. vs. AUSTRALIA. Saturday 10 August, 6.00PM (11.00PM NZT), Optus Stadium, PERTH

Second Bledisloe Cup Test

4. vs. AUSTRALIA. Saturday 17 August, 7.35PM, Eden Park, AUCKLAND

Related Articles

  • 45 WEEKS AGO

    Ellis Genge puts on his boxing gloves ready...

  • 45 WEEKS AGO

    Crazy scenes as player deliberately kicks...

  • 45 WEEKS AGO

    RFU make decision on transgender players...



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 13 HOURS AGO

    Watch: Antoine Dupont outrageous no-look pass sets up Toulouse try

  • 13 HOURS AGO

    Toulouse Rugby's version of 'total football' try

  • 5 DAYS AGO

    The latest member of the Tuilagi Rugby dynasty dominates in the Top 14 promotion play-off

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Springbok winger with the most athletic non-try of the season

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Jack Crowley drops the ball on dime for brilliant Munster try in URC Final

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 6 DAYS AGO

    Marcos Kremer shown red card for reckless shot on Finn Russell

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Heroic tackle from Spanish 7s player goes viral

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    No sanction handed down by SANZAAR for tackle that left Reds player with a fractured neck

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Watch: Cheslin Kolbe Dominates Sebastian Cancelliere with back-to-back big tackles

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Ben Curry's World Cup hopes dashed as he becomes the latest victim of the crocodile roll

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Barbarians Vs World XV highlights

  • 9 WEEKS AGO

    Silly Skill From Toulouse Fullback Highlights French Confidence

  • 16 WEEKS AGO

    Ardie Savea Moment Of Magic In Super Rugby Aotearoa

  • 16 WEEKS AGO

    'Armchair athletes' berate Arundell's seriously impressive bench press

  • 17 WEEKS AGO

    Worcester Warriors - The End

View All

Funnies

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    Watch: Savagely cruel bounce see’s Canada U20 concede brutal try

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Mack Hansen gets Andy Farrell’s face tattooed on leg

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    "Hey Manie oh ah I wanna know if I can block that kick" – Munster's hilarious new song

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Munster Rugby loving life in Cape Town Following URC Final Victory

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: La Rochelle Players Gate Crash O’Gara Interview

View All

Amateur

  • 21 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 22 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 45 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 45 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 45 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    Legendary playmaker announces new move

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Horrific footage has emerged of Mohamed Haouas attack on wife

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Mack Hansen gets Andy Farrell’s face tattooed on leg

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    French international receives prison sentence for attack on wife

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    John Afoa breaks record on return to Super Rugby

View All