Five uncapped players named in the first All Blacks’ squad of 2023

Jared Wright
All Blacks head coach Ian Foster has named five uncapped players in his 36-man squad for the upcoming 2023 Rugby Championship new zealand

All Blacks head coach Ian Foster has named a 36-man squad ahead of the 2023 Rugby Championship with five uncapped players included.

Cam Roigard, Dallas McLeod, Emoni Narawa, Samipeni Finau and Tamaiti Williams are the five uncapped players named in the squad, with Shaun Stevenson named as injury cover for Mark Telea.

Cane returns as captain

The side will once again be captained by flanker Sam Cane, who missed the tail end of the 2022 Test season through injury.

Foster highlighted the importance of the Rugby Championship as preparation for the upcoming Rugby World Cup in France later this year.

“We are very excited about the group we have selected,” Foster said.

“The Lipovitan-D Rugby Championship is a vital piece in our preparation for the World Cup later in the year. It’s a key opportunity to get our game ready so we can enter the global tournament with confidence.”

In confirming that Cane will captain New Zealand again, Foster added: “Sam has proven himself as a great leader of our team despite having had a disrupted couple of seasons leading into this one. We have total belief that he is the right man to lead us.”

The All Blacks have a host of injuries to contend with Angus Ta’avao, Ethan Blackadder, Cullen Grace, David Havili, Joe Moody, George Bower, Patrick Tuipulotu, Quinn Tupaea, Sevu Reece, and TJ Perenara not available for selection.

Meanwhile, a 30-man All Blacks XV squad has been named for a two-match tour in Japan next month.

The side will be coached by Leon MacDonald, who Clayton McMillan and Scott Hansen will assist.

The squad includes nine players with Test experience, including Aidan Ross, Asafo Aumua, Akira Ioane, Pita Gus Sowakula, Brad Weber, Folau Fakatava, Stephen Perofeta, Brett Cameron and Jack Goodhue. 

All Blacks’ Rugby Championship squad

Forwards: Codie Taylor, Dane Coles, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Ethan de Groot, Fletcher Newell, Nepo Laulala, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Tamaiti Williams*, Tyrel Lomax, Brodie Retallick, Josh Lord, Samuel Whitelock, Scott Barrett, Tupou Vaa’i, Ardie Savea, Dalton Papali’i, Luke Jacobson, Sam Cane, Samipeni Finau*, Shannon Frizell

Backs: Aaron Smith, Finlay Christie, Cam Roigard*, Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie, Richie Mo’unga, Anton Lienert-Brown, Jordie Barrett, Rieko Ioane, Braydon Ennor, Dallas McLeod*, Caleb Clarke, Emoni Narawa*, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Mark Telea, Will Jordan.

*Denotes uncapped players. 

All Blacks’ XV squad

Forwards: Jermaine Ainsley, Oli Jager, Tevita Mafileo, Xavier Numia, Aidan Ross, Asafo Aumua, Ricky Riccitelli, Tyrone Thompson, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Quinten Strange, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Billy Harmon, Akira Ioane, Christian Lio-Willie, Pita Gus Sowakula, Cameron Suafoa

Backs: Folau Fakatava, Brad Weber, Brett Cameron, Stephen Perofeta, Jack Goodhue, Alex Nankivell, Billy Proctor, Bailyn Sullivan, Sam Gilbert, AJ Lam, Ruben Love, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Jona Nareki 

All Blacks fixtures:

WEEK 1 vs. ARGENTINA. Saturday 8 July, Estadio Malvinas, MENDOZA
WEEK 2 vs. SOUTH AFRICA. Saturday 15 July, Go Media Stadium Mt Smart, AUCKLAND
WEEK 3 vs. AUSTRALIA. Saturday 29 July, Melbourne Cricket Ground, MELBOURNE
WEEK 4 vs. AUSTRALIA. Saturday 5 August, Forsyth Barr Stadium, DUNEDIN

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