All Blacks 51-man tour squad
Rugby update
Wellington: All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen has announced a strong 51-player squad for the team’s upcoming end-of-year tour to Japan and Europe.
Hansen has named a 32-man squad of players who will go to Yokohama where they will face the Wallabies in their third and final Bledisloe Cup Test on October 27.
After that match, 22 of the squad will go to London to prepare for their Test against England at Twickenham on November 11. 10 players from the 32-man squad will remain in Japan where they will be joined by a secondary squad of 19 players – who will travel after the Mitre 10 Cup Premiership and Championship finals – for a Test against the Brave Blossoms.
Hansen said: “This is a hugely exciting Northern Tour we’re about to embark on and one which we’re all looking forward to.”
The seven new All Blacks in the wider squad are: Tasman prop Tyrel Lomax and fellow prop, Taranaki’s Reuben O’Neill, Hawke’s Bay loose forward Gareth Evans, North Harbour halfback Bryn Hall, Canterbury first five-eighth Brett Cameron, Wellington midfielder Matt Proctor and Canterbury wing George Bridge. All Blacks 32-man squad:
Forwards: Dane Coles, Nathan Harris, Codie Taylor, Owen Franks, Nepo Laulala, Joe Moody, Karl Tu’inukuafe, Ofa Tuungafasi, Scott Barrett, Brodie Retallick, Patrick Tuipulotu, Samuel Whitelock, Vaea Fifita, Dalton Papalii, Kieran Read (c), Ardie Savea, Liam Squire, Matt Todd
Backs: TJ Perenara, Aaron Smith, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie, Richie Mo’unga, Ryan Crotty, Jack Goodhue, Anton Lienert-Brown, Sonny Bill Williams, Jordie Barrett, Rieko Ioane, Waisake Naholo, Ben Smith
19 additional players:
Forwards: Asafo Aumua, Liam Coltman, Tyrel Lomax, Reuben O’Neill, Tim Perry, Angus Ta’avao, Luke Romano, Jackson Hemopo, Gareth Evans, Dillon Hunt, Luke Whitelock
Backs: Mitchell Drummond, Bryn Hall, Brett Cameron, Ngani Laumape, Matt Proctor, George Bridge, David Havili, Nehe Milner-Skudder All Blacks 2018 schedule:
October 27 v Australia – Yokohama; November 3: v Japan – Tokyo; November 11: v England – London; November 18: v Ireland – Dublin; November 25: v Italy – Rome. - Planet Rugby