All Blacks: Scott Robertson shows his hand as he opts for continuity in squad for Grand Slam tour
All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson and hooker George Bell (inset).
All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson has opted for continuity as he named a powerful 36-member squad for next month’s eagerly anticipated 2025 Grand Slam tour.
The squad consists of 20 forwards and 16 backs with experienced second-row Scott Barrett retained as captain.
Crusaders hooker George Bell has been recalled and is the only player in the group who was not involved during the recent Rugby Championship, while prop Tevita Mafileo is the squad’s sole uncapped member.
New Zealand will get the campaign underway when they go head-to-head with Ireland at Soldier Field Stadium in Chicago.
Venue where Ireland beat New Zealand for the first time
That fixture at the famous venue will be a repeat of the unforgettable 2016 encounter between the two nations which Ireland won 40-29 and, in doing so, they registered their first ever victory at Test level over the All Blacks.
The All Blacks will then head to the United Kingdom for consecutive Tests against Scotland, England, and Wales.
It will mark the first time in 15 years that New Zealand have embarked on a Grand Slam tour, defined as a touring Southern Hemisphere side defeating all four Home Nations.
Adding to the significance of this year’s tour is the fact that it is 100 years since the All Blacks’ first Grand Slam attempt, the 1905 northern tour by the team that would become known as ‘The Originals’.
Since then, New Zealand have achieved a Grand Slam four times – in 1978, 2005, 2008, and 2010.
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Robertson feels the 2025 tour represents a special moment for his All Blacks squad.
“There is a lot of history that has led up to this opportunity for our group, so we will be honouring and taking inspiration from the feats that have come before us,” he said.
“The rematch against Ireland at Soldier Field will be a huge occasion, and then facing some of the northern hemisphere’s best at their home grounds is a fantastic challenge for us.
“We are looking forward to this very special tour.”
All Blacks squad
Forwards: Codie Taylor (Crusaders and Canterbury), Samisoni Taukei’aho (Chiefs and Waikato), George Bell (Crusaders and Canterbury), Ethan de Groot (Highlanders and Southland), Tamaiti Williams (Crusaders and Canterbury), George Bower (Crusaders and Otago), Fletcher Newell (Crusaders and Canterbury), Pasilio Tosi (Hurricanes and Bay of Plenty), Tevita Mafileo (Hurricanes and Bay of Plenty), Scott Barrett (Crusaders and Taranaki, c), Patrick Tuipulotu (Blues and Auckland), Fabian Holland (Highlanders and Otago), Josh Lord (Chiefs and Taranaki), Samipeni Finau (Chiefs and Waikato), Simon Parker (Chiefs and Northland), Ardie Savea (Moana Pasifika and Wellington), Du’Plessis Kirifi (Hurricanes and Wellington), Wallace Sititi (Chiefs and North Harbour), Peter Lakai (Hurricanes and Wellington), Luke Jacobson (Chiefs and Waikato)
Backs: Cortez Ratima (Chiefs and Waikato), Cameron Roigard (Hurricanes and Counties Manukau), Finlay Christie (Blues and Tasman), Beauden Barrett (Blues and Taranaki), Damian McKenzie (Chiefs and Waikato), Anton Lienert-Brown (Chiefs and Waikato), Jordie Barrett (Hurricanes and Taranaki), Quinn Tupaea (Chiefs and Waikato), Billy Proctor (Hurricanes and Wellington), Leicester Fainga’anuku (Crusaders and Tasman), Rieko Ioane (Blues and Auckland), Caleb Clarke (Blues and Auckland), Sevu Reece (Crusaders and Southland), Leroy Carter (Chiefs and Bay of Plenty), Will Jordan (Crusaders and Tasman), Ruben Love (Hurricanes and Wellington)
New Zealand’s 2025 end-of-year internationals
Saturday, 1 November: All Blacks v Ireland, Soldier Field Stadium, Chicago
Saturday, 8 November: All Blacks v Scotland, Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh
Saturday, 15 November: All Blacks v England, Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, London
Saturday, 22 November: All Blacks v Wales, Principality Stadium, Cardiff