Ahead of their northern trip, the All Blacks XV team for their games against Munster and Georgia has been announced. The 29-player group includes 10 capped All Blacks.
Hoskins Sotutu, a standout loose forward for the Blues, has been picked after being left out of the All Blacks’ northern tour and Rugby Championship selections. Shaun Stevenson and Emoni Narawa, two Chiefs flyers who were also passed over by Scott Robertson and his coaching team this season, might have another opportunity to return to the All Blacks setting.
The All Blacks XV choose to combine youth and experience in the forward pack, starting six-test lock Josh Lord and promising Hurricanes loose forward Peter Lakai.
Taranaki and Blues hooker Ricky Riccitelli, who was also a star in the team’s championship-winning Super Rugby Pacific season, are noticeable omissions from the front row.
Before playing Munster and Georgia in November, a select group of players from the All Blacks XV squad will go early to Japan with the All Blacks to aid in their preparation and get further experience in the test environment.
The All Blacks and All Blacks XV coaching staff worked together to choose the team, with head coaches Scott Robertson and Clayton McMillan overseeing the process. News for The Daily Rugby
Assistants to the All Blacks XV, Cory Jane, Jamie Mackintosh, and David Hill, will support McMillan.
On October 26 (for non-NPC finalists) and October 27 (for NPC finalists), the All Blacks XV team will leave for Ireland.
Sunday November 3 – All Blacks XV v Munster, 6.30am NZT, Thomond Park Limerick, Ireland.
Monday November 11 – All Blacks XV v Georgia, 2.00am NZT, GGL Stadium, Montpellier, France.
Both matches will be available live on Sky Sport in New Zealand.
Internationally, the All Blacks XV v Munster match will be available to stream live and free on New Zealand Rugby’s streaming service, NZR+, in more than 150 countries excluding New Zealand, Ireland and the UK. The match against Georgia will be available to stream live and free on NZR+, excluding New Zealand and Georgia.
All Blacks XV squad (Age/Super Rugby Pacific franchise/Province)
*denotes All Blacks cap
Forwards (17)
Props
Xavier Numia, George Dyer, Saula Ma’u, Marcel Renata, George Bower*
Hookers
Brodie McAlister, Kurt Eklund, Bradley Slater
Locks
Josh Lord*, Fabian Holland, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Naitoa Ah Kuoi
Loose Forwards
Du’Plessis Kirifi, Peter Lakai, Hoskins Sotutu*, Oliver Haig, Christian Lio-Willie
Backs (12)
Halfbacks
Noah Hotham*, Finlay Christie*
First five-eighths
Harry Plummer*, Josh Jacomb
Midfielders
Quinn Tupaea*, Riley Higgins, AJ Lam, Dallas McLeod*
Outside Backs
Kiniviliame Naholo, Emoni Narawa*, Chay Fihaki, Shaun Stevenson*