The All Blacks have named their 23-man squad ahead of the First Test against Wales, at Eden Park on Saturday June 11. The All Blacks squad is, as expected, the strongest side possible to open the International rugby calendar.
Head coach Steve Hansen has named a talented group with test-level experience over fresh young talent that has been lighting up the numbers in Super Rugby. Two players will make their international debuts at Eden Park, but a key area of interest comes in the locks combination, with Luke Romano winning the battle ahead of home-town boy Patrick Tuipulotu.
The crucial role of first-five which has been discussed at length this week; and with three players to pick from, see’s Hansen put his faith in the experience and proven ability of Aaron Cruden, despite the 27-year old having not played a Test Match since 2014. Cruden (pictured) teams up with dynamo halfback Aaron Smith.
In the midfield, Ryan Crotty will pair with Malakai Fekitoa as the selectors again choose Test Match experience, with the two combining for 28 Test Caps between them. That forms a part of 720 total Test Caps in the squad for the First Test. Crotty and Fekitoa have both been bench warmers for much of their time in the All Blacks and will not only relish the starting role, but also what is expected to be a stiff challenge against an experienced Welsh midfield.
Yet to really prove himself at Test level, Waisake Naholo will play on the right wing in his third start and he partners Julian Savea, who himself has had an unusually poor Super Rugby campaign so far. Vice captain Ben Smith comes into fullback on the cusp of notching 100-points for the All Blacks.
Captaining the All Blacks for the tenth time, Kieran Read will lead the men in black into a new era and plays his 85th Test this Saturday. In the front row, Joe Moody will start ahead of Wyatt Crockett and is joined by experienced hooker Dane Coles and double Rugby World Cup winner Owen Franks.
Standout loose forward Ardie Savea has been rewarded for a bold decision to turn away from the Rio Olympics with the national Sevens squad, and is rewarded by being picked to make his debut off the bench. Chiefs inside centre Seta Tamanivalu will also make his debut from the bench.
Hansen says that the his side doesn’t have the mindset that they are ‘vulnerable’ because it is the first test of the year or due to the fact that so much experience has left the group. “We have some very excited players who have trained well during the week and are getting the opportunity to make a statement about who they are and what the All Blacks jersey means to them,” Hansen said.
All Blacks squad for first Test
1. Joe Moody (11)
2. Dane Coles (36)
3. Owen Franks (78)
4. Luke Romano (22)
5. Brodie Retallick (47)
6. Jerome Kaino (67)
7. Sam Cane (31)
8. Kieran Read – captain (84)
9. Aaron Smith (47)
10. Aaron Cruden (37)
11. Julian Savea (41)
12. Ryan Crotty (15)
13. Malakai Fekitoa (13)
14. Waisake Naholo (3)
15. Ben Smith (48)
16. Nathan Harris (2)
17. Wyatt Crockett (45)
18. Charlie Faumuina (33)
19. Patrick Tuipulotu (7)
20. Ardie Savea
21. TJ Perenara (17)
22. Beauden Barrett (36)
23. Seta Tamanivalu
– debut players in bold.
Steinlager International Test Series, Eden Park, Auckland. Saturday June 11th 7.35pm NZST.
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Mike Pullman is Last Word On Sports fully accredited All Blacks reporter and will cover the New Zealand v Wales series in-depth. Follow all the results here on LWOS.
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