Skudder, Laulala recalled to All Blacks as ‘Bus’ garaged

REUTERS - All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has recalled prop Nepo Laulala and fleet-footed winger Nehe Milner-skudder to his squad for the first time since 2015, while dropping Julian Savea for the Rugby Championship.

Milner-skudder, named World Rugby’s ‘Breakthrough Player’ in 2015, was included in the 33-man squad released on Monday after missing much of the past 18 months following shoulder surgery last year and then a broken foot earlier this season.

Chiefs tighthead Laulala played the last of his four tests against Australia in 2015 before suffering a serious knee injury and will hope to break back into the side for the Rugby Championship opener against the Wallabies in Sydney on Aug. 19.

Prolific try-scorer Savea, nicknamed ‘The Bus’ for his bruising running game, is the notable omission from the Kieran Read- captained squad, losing out to Milner-skudder, Israel Dagg and Waisake Naholo among the outside backs.

“Firstly, we congratulate all players selected for the ... Rugby Championship, particularly Nepo and Nehe, who we welcome back,” Hansen said in a statement.

“Conversely, we commiserate with those who have missed out, particularly Julian Savea and the unlucky (flanker) Matt Todd, both of whom have made great contributions to the All Blacks jersey and will do so again in the future, I’m sure.” With tighthead prop Charlie Faumuina and flyhalf Aaron Cruden heading to France, Hansen was forced to make changes from his squad that drew the series with the British and Irish Lions.

Flyhalf Lima Sopoaga is now expected to take on a greater role as Beauden Barrett’s backup, while Chiefs playmaker Damian Mckenzie could also see some action in the number 10 jersey.

Mckenzie has mostly played fullback in Super Rugby but both Hansen and new Chiefs coach Colin Cooper have said they see his future at flyhalf.