All Blacks: Will Jordan and Sam Cane amongst returnees as highly-rated uncapped star named in Scott Robertson’s Rugby Championship squad
Split with All Blacks star Will Jordan and head coach Scott Robertson.
Will Jordan has been named in the All Blacks’ Rugby Championship squad after being sidelined with a shoulder injury for the entirety of 2024.
The last time the electric runner pulled on a New Zealand jersey was in the Rugby World Cup final and he is one of four players named in the squad who have not played for the All Blacks under Scott Robertson.
Experienced heads
Joining Jordan in being recalled is veteran Sam Cane, who will retire from Test rugby at the end of the year, and the former All Blacks skipper will be desperate to add to his 95 caps with the century mark within reach.
Another returnee is the versatile midfielder David Havili, who gives Robertson further options in the backline. The same goes for uncapped Ruben Love, who comes off a red-hot season with the Hurricanes to bolster the back-three stocks.
Sam Darry is confirmed as the fourth lock with captain Scott Barrett having undergone surgery on his finger, meaning he may miss the start of the tournament. Josh Lord is named as injury cover.
All newly capped players from the July window remain in the squad as does veteran scrum-half TJ Perenara, who recovers from what could have been a nasty leg injury suffered against England.
Robertson commended the fresh faces for their efforts in the Test environment while also underlined the value of the experienced returnees.
“It was a tough squad to select because everyone has owned their opportunities. Continuity is important, but it’s also important to reward performance,” he said.
“Sam Cane, Will and David bring a lot of experience and leadership to the group and Ruben, Noah and Sam Darry have taken their chance in the environment. It will be a special moment for Ruben being selected for the first time. He’s worked hard in the background and will be ready when his opportunity comes.”
All Blacks squad
Forwards: Asafo Aumua, Codie Taylor, George Bell, Ethan De Groot, Tyrel Lomax, Fletcher Newell, Pasilio Tosi, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Tamaiti Williams, Scott Barrett (c), Tupou Vaa’i, Patrick Tuipulotu, Sam Darry, Ethan Blackadder, Sam Cane, Samipeni Finau, Luke Jacobson, Dalton Papali’i, Ardie Savea (vc), Wallace Sititi
Backs: Noah Hotham, TJ Perenara, Cortez Ratima, Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie, Jordie Barrett (vc), David Havili, Rieko Ioane, Anton Lienert-Brown, Billy Proctor, Caleb Clarke, Will Jordan, Ruben Love*, Stephen Perofeta, Sevu Reece, Mark Tele’a
Injury cover: Josh Lord
READ MORE: All Blacks suffer untimely injury blow that will test squad depth in the Rugby Championship
New Zealand Rugby Championship fixtures
New Zealand v Argentina
Date: Saturday, 10 August
Venue: SKY Stadium, Wellington
Local kick-off: 19:05
GMT kick-off: 07:05
New Zealand v Argentina
Date: Saturday, 17 August
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
Local kick-off: 19:05
GMT kick-off: 7:05
South Africa v New Zealand
Date: Saturday, 31 August
Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Local kick-off: 17:00
GMT kick-off: 15:00
NZL kick-off: 3:00 (Sunday, 1 September)
South Africa v New Zealand
Date: Saturday, 7 September
Venue: DHL Stadium, Cape Town
Local kick-off: 17:00
GMT kick-off: 15:00
NZL kick-off: 3:00 (Sunday, 8 September)
Australia v New Zealand
Date: Saturday, 21 September
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
Local kick-off: 15:55
GMT kick-off: 5:55
NZL kick-off: 17:55
New Zealand v Australia
Date: Saturday, 28 September
Venue: SKY Stadium, Wellington
Local kick-off: 19:05
GMT kick-off: 7:05
