Four newbies named in All Blacks squad

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All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen has named four new players in his 39-man squad for the Rugby Championship Tests against Argentina and South Africa.

Chiefs back-row Luke Jacobson, Highlanders fly-half Josh Ioane and Crusaders outside backs Braydon Ennor and Sevu Reece are the debutants in Hansen’s squad, who face the Pumas in Buenos Aires on July 20 and the Springboks in Wellington on July 27.

Hurricanes hooker Asafo Aumua and Chiefs prop Atu Moli are the two other uncapped players in the squad.

“On behalf of the selectors, we want to congratulate the four new All Blacks named today ā€“ Luke, Josh, Braydon and Sevu,” said Hansen.

“Theyā€™ve all performed to very high levels this year and played some outstanding rugby. Itā€™s a special time being named in the All Blacks for the first time and they and their families can be proud of what theyā€™ve achieved.

“We also congratulate the returning All Blacks and commiserate with those players who havenā€™t been named. As always, history has shown us opportunities will arise.

“Itā€™s really exciting bringing the team together and weā€™re all looking forward to starting the work towards this yearā€™s goals. Weā€™re going to try and do something thatā€™s never been done before and thatā€™s to win three Rugby World Cups in a row.

“However, thatā€™s not a given. Weā€™re going to have to be hungry for success and weā€™re going to have to work incredibly hard and smart to achieve this.

“Whilst recapturing the Rugby World Cup and the Bledisloe Cup are two of the end goals for the year, we have to deal with the here and now, which is getting ready to face two quality oppositions in Argentina and South Africa.”

Hansen believes there were many positives in being able to name a larger squad for the first two matches in the Rugby Championship.

“First and foremost, it allows us to pick a very strong squad for what will be a challenging first Test against Argentina in Buenos Aires, while at the same time giving most of the Crusaders players in the All Blacks a rest from what has been a very tough Investec Super Rugby Finals campaign,” he added.

“For the new players, it allows us to meet them for the first time, introduce them to our environment and grow their understanding of their game and our game at international level.

“The challenge and the aim of the first two matches is not only to play winning rugby but attractive, exciting rugby. To do this, weā€™ll have to quickly reconnect the players from the various Super Rugby clubs back into the All Blacksā€™ ways.

“We will need to master our game by improving our execution. To do this, our skillsets and decision making will be our key focus.”

Hansen further said that the first two Rugby Championship matches, along with the Maori All Blacks two matches against Fiji, would give the selectors an opportunity to see a large number of players performing at a higher level, prior to them naming a trimmed down squad of 34 for the Bledisloe Cup.

“Being a Rugby World Cup year, thereā€™s a lot of excitement and anticipation from our many fans not only in New Zealand but also overseas,” he said.

“The squad is really looking forward to our fansā€™ support at all our Tests this year.”

Not considered for selection due to injury: Ryan Crotty, Scott Barrett, Tim Perry and Damian McKenzie.

Unavailable for selection: Liam Squire has also made himself unavailable as he felt he wasn’t ready to return to international rugby at this stage.

All Blacks squad

Forwards: Asafo Aumua (Hurricanes/Wellington), Dane Coles (Hurricanes/Wellington), Liam Coltman (Highlanders/Otago), Codie Taylor (Crusaders/Canterbury), Owen Franks (Crusaders/Canterbury), Nepo Laulala (Chiefs/Counties Manukau), Joe Moody (Crusaders/Canterbury), Atu Moli (Chiefs/Tasman), Angus Taā€™avao (Chiefs/Taranaki), Karl Tuā€™inukuafe (Blues/North Harbour), Ofa Tuungafasi (Blues/Auckland), Brodie Retallick (Chiefs Hawkeā€™s Bay), Patrick Tuipulotu (Blues/Auckland), Samuel Whitelock (Crusaders/Canterbury), Jackson Hemopo (Highlanders/Manawatu), Sam Cane (Chiefs/Bay of Plenty), Vaea Fifita (Hurricanes/Wellington), Shannon Frizell (Highlanders/Tasman), Luke Jacobson (Chiefs/Waikato), Dalton Papalii (Blues/Auckland), Kieran Read (Crusaders/Counties Manukau), Ardie Savea (Hurricanes/Wellington), Matt Todd (Crusaders/Canterbury)

Backs: TJ Perenara (Hurricanes/Wellington), Aaron Smith (Highlanders/Manawatu), Brad Weber (Chiefs/Hawkeā€™s Bay), Beauden Barrett (Hurricanes/Taranaki), Josh Ioane (Highlanders/Otago), Richie Moā€™unga (Crusaders/Canterbury), Jack Goodhue (Crusaders/Northland), Ngani Laumape (Hurricanes/Manawatu), Anton Lienert-Brown (Chiefs/Waikato), Sonny Bill Williams (Blues/Counties Manukau), Braydon Ennor (Crusaders/Canterbury), Jordie Barrett (Hurricanes/Taranaki), George Bridge (Crusaders/Canterbury), Rieko Ioane (Blues/Auckland), Sevu Reece (Crusaders/Waikato), Ben Smith (Highlanders/Otago)

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