All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen has confirmed his squad for the two home and away Bledisloe Cup matches.
There are six players who has been left out from the initial squad with Brodie Retallick is injured, while Asafo Aumua, Karl Tu’inukuafe, Dalton Papalii, Shannon Frizell and Josh Ioane missing.
While Crusaders lock Scott Barrett comes back into the squad following time out with a thumb injury.
Hansen has admitted that the Bledisloe Cup games are one of the biggest tests for the All Blacks and he is looking forward to facing the Wallabies once more.
“Bledisloe Cup Tests are always massive Tests. We know that the Wallabies will be confident after their win over Argentina and desperate to win this first match, so we’re looking forward to getting to Perth and getting into our Test preparation. The Bledisloe Cup is the second most important trophy for us, after the Rugby World Cup, and we’re really looking forward to the next two Tests coming up. Two weeks together will give us solid preparation towards growing our game understanding and getting our execution honed, so that’s exciting,” he said.
The first of the two tests will be played in Perth, a place the All Blacks haven’t visited since 1992 and Hansen is excited to go back.
“The last time the All Blacks played in Perth was way back in 1992 (against a Western Australia side) but this will be an historic first Test for us in the city, so we’re also looking forward to catching up with our fans over there,” he added.
As well as the six players mentioned above, Nepo Laulala and Sonny Bill Williams will both play for Counties Manukau in a Mitre 10 Cup warm-up game this Saturday.
Laulala will link back up with the All Blacks squad in Perth following the game while Williams will play Counties Manukau’s Mitre 10 Cup opening game on the 10th of August before heading to Auckland to prepare for the All Blacks second Bledisloe Cup game.
Check Out the Full Squad Below.
Forwards:
Dane Coles, Liam Coltman and Codie Taylor, Owen
Franks, Nepo Laulala, Joe Moody, Atu Moli, Angus Ta’avao and Ofa Tuungafasi, Scott
Barrett, Jackson Hemopo, Patrick Tuipulotu and Samuel Whitelock, Sam Cane, Vaea
Fifita, Luke Jacobson, Kieran Read, Ardie Savea and Matt Todd.
Backs:
TJ Perenara, Aaron Smith and Brad Weber, Beauden
Barrett and Richie Mo’unga, Jack Goodhue, Ngani Laumape, Anton Lienert-Brown
and Sonny Bill Williams, Braydon Ennor and Jordie Barrett, George Bridge, Rieko
Ioane, Sevu Reece and Ben Smith.
