All Blacks Squad For Northern Tour

The All Blacks have named a strong squad for their upcoming Northern Hemisphere tour to Chicago and to Europe beginning in two weeks time.

Fresh off their 37-10 victory over the Wallabies, the All Blacks now turn their attention to the traditional end-of-year tour.

This isn’t just a trip away for Steve Hansen and his men, they will take on opposition that they haven’t come up against for a while. Teams like Ireland and France will offer something different than the likes of Australia and South Africa–teams that the All Blacks have steamrolled over in recent weeks, in The Rugby Championship and last nights Bledisloe Cup test.

Rieko Ioane Gets The Call He’s Been Waiting For

Steve Hansen has selected talented youngster Rieko Ioane after successive standout seasons with the Blues in Super Rugby and a fine showing with the New Zealand Sevens side in Rio. Ioane, 19, is a former New Zealand U-20 representative, as well as appearances with the NZ Maori squad.

During the Mitre 10 Cup, Ioane topped the regular season record with Auckland for most number of tries scored, clean breaks, and defenders beaten. His potential is at wing or; possibly, as a centre in time but certainly, as a weapon.

Also in line to make an All Black debut is Otago prop Liam Coltman. Used as a training squad member, his time with the group has paid off, with injuries to other contenders for his jersey giving the Highlanders hooker his chance on tour.

Hansen wished to congratulate all the players selected for the tour and said the opportunity to spend time in the All Black camp would be a vital experience in terms of career development;

“Younger players will get more experience within the All Black environment. It will allow us to keep blending the mixture of young talent with the more experienced men in our group. This will see our game continue to grow and ensure that the team is future-proofed.”

Experienced loose-forward Steven Luatua has been welcomed back into the All Blacks, achieving a goal that the 25-year old has striven to achieve for well over two-years now. With injury clouds floating over Samuel Whitelock and Brodie Retallick, there is also the potential for two new youngsters to make their All Black debut during the tour.

All Three Barrett’s Named In All Blacks Squad

Canterbury lock Scott Barrett will join his brothers Beauden and apprentice Jordie in the camp. The Barrett family appears to be popular with Hansen. As well as Beauden and Scott, young Jordie Barrett will also tour with the All Blacks. Could we see a match where all three brothers are on the park at the same time?

Scott Barrett will provide injury cover for Whitelock, who suffered a high-ankle sprain during the weekends’ victory over Australia. Retallick suffered a head knock during the same game, and if tests say he cannot play, Wellington lock Vaea Fifita will join the squad as well.

The Hurricanes and Lions utility lock has the capabilities to play lock or loose forward. That versatility is a strong asset, as much as his speed, evasiveness and height.

An Opportunity To Play Against Different Opposition

Beginning with a clash against Ireland in Chicago on November 5th, this tour is a good opportunity for the All Blacks to test themselves against a different type of opposition. In the European leg of the tour, Hansen and his men play Italy, Ireland [for the second time] and France in Paris.

On paper, these sides are outmatched, so they go into these matches with absolutely nothing to lose. For the All Blacks, they’ve now achieved the Tier One World Record of 18-straight wins, but another challenge lies ahead. An undefeated season is at stake, just as it was back in 2013.

All Blacks Squad For Northern Tour

The full squad:

Forwards: Dane Coles, Codie Taylor, Nathan Harris, Liam Coltman, Joe Moody, Owen Franks, Wyatt Crockett, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Charlie Faumuina, Luke Romano, Patrick Tuipolotu, Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Sam Cane, Ardie Savea, Steven Luatua, Jerome Kaino, Elliot Dixon, Matt Todd, Liam Squire, Kieran Read (C).

Backs: Aaron Smith, TJ Perenara, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Aaron Cruden, Lima Sopoaga, Beauden Barrett, Anton Liernert-Brown, Malakai Fekitoa, Ryan Crotty, George Moala, Rieko Ioane, Julian Savea, Waisake Naholo, Ben Smith, Damian McKenzie, Israel Dagg.

Injury replacement/Apprentices: Vaea Fifita, Scott and Jordie Barrett.