Ten players with All Blacks experience have been named in the All Blacks XV squad ahead of their two-match Northern Tour against Munster and Georgia next month.
Collaborative Selection Process
The 29-man squad was selected collaboratively by the All Blacks and All Blacks XV coaching teams, with Head Coaches Scott Robertson and Clayton McMillan leading the process.
The All Blacks XV Squad
The All Blacks XV squad is: (Age / DHL Super Rugby Pacific club / Province)
*denotes All Blacks cap
Forwards (17)
Props
Xavier Numia (25 / Hurricanes / Wellington)
George Dyer (24/ Chiefs / Waikato)
Saula Ma’u (24 / Highlanders / Otago)
Marcel Renata (30 / Blues / Auckland)
George Bower (32 / Crusaders / Otago)*
Hookers
Brodie McAlister (27 / Crusaders / Canterbury)
Kurt Eklund (32 / Blues / Bay of Plenty)
Bradley Slater (26 / Chiefs / Taranaki)
Locks
Josh Lord (23 / Chiefs / Taranaki)*
Fabian Holland (21 / Highlanders / Otago)
Isaia Walker-Leawere (27 / Hurricanes / Hawke’s Bay)
Naitoa Ah Kuoi (25 / Chiefs / Bay of Plenty)
Loose Forwards
Du’Plessis Kirifi (27 / Hurricanes / Wellington)
Peter Lakai (21/ Hurricanes / Wellington)
Hoskins Sotutu (26 / Blues / Counties Manukau)*
Oliver Haig (22 / Highlanders / Otago)
Christian Lio-Willie (26 / Crusaders / Otago)
Backs (12)
Halfbacks
Noah Hotham (21 / Crusaders / Tasman)*
Finlay Christie (29 / Blues / Tasman)*
First five-eighths
Harry Plummer (26 / Blues / Auckland)*
Josh Jacomb (23 / Chiefs / Taranaki)
Mid-fielders
Quinn Tupaea (25 / Chiefs / Waikato)*
Riley Higgins (22 / Hurricanes / Wellington)
AJ Lam (26 / Blues / Auckland)
Dallas McLeod (25 / Crusaders / Canterbury)*
Outside Backs
Kiniviliame Naholo (25 / Hurricanes / Taranaki)
Emoni Narawa (25 / Chiefs / Bay of Plenty)*
Chay Fihaki (23 / Crusaders / Canterbury)
Shaun Stevenson (27 / Chiefs / North Harbour)*
Coaching Staff Overview
Clayton McMillan serves as the Head Coach of the All Blacks XV, supported by Assistant Coaches Cory Jane, Jamie Mackintosh, and David Hill.
McMillan’s Enthusiasm for the Squad
Having been part of the camp with the All Blacks prior to their test in Wellington last month, McMillan is enthusiastic about the squad that has been selected and looks forward to the opportunity to showcase the team’s skills on the international stage.
Players Gaining Additional Experience
A small number of players from the All Blacks XV squad will travel early to Japan with the All Blacks to help with their preparation and gain additional experience in the All Blacks environment, before joining up with the All Blacks XV squad to play Munster and Georgia in November.
Upcoming Fixtures for the All Blacks XV
The All Blacks XV squad will depart for Ireland on 26 (non-NPC finalists) and 27 October (NPC finalists) and the fixtures are as follows:
Sunday 3 November – All Blacks XV v Munster, Thomond Park Limerick, Ireland
Monday 11 November – All Blacks XV v Georgia, GGL Stadium, Montpellier, France
About the All Blacks XV
The All Blacks XV was established as New Zealand Rugby’s next senior national men’s representative team following the All Blacks, serving as a crucial high-performance pathway to the All Blacks. As the next senior national representative side, the All Blacks XV is held to the same high standards as the other teams in Black.
This team continues the legacy of similar squads that have been formed throughout New Zealand rugby history, including the Junior All Blacks, New Zealand A, and Emerging Players.
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