Snubbed Blues star one of 10 internationals included in All Blacks XV squad for European tour
Blues and Counties Manukau number eight Hoskins Sotutu is one of 10 players with Test experience who has been included in the All Blacks XV squad for their upcoming tour to Europe in November.
Sotutu was a shock absentee from All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson’s first squad in June, after a stunning season for the Blues in Super Rugby Pacific, with Wallace Sititi selected ahead of him.
Sititi has cemented himself in the two-time world champions’ set-up since then and started the All Blacks‘ last three Rugby Championship Tests on the blindside flank.
29-man squad
Sotutu joins fellow All Blacks George Bower, Josh Lord, Noah Hotham, Finlay Christie, Harry Plummer, Quinn Tupaea, Dallas McLeod, Emoni Narawa and Shaun Stevenson in All Blacks XV head coach Clayton McMillan‘s 29-man squad.
Jamie Mackintosh (forwards), David Hill (attack) and Cory Jane (defence) will serve as McMillan’s assistant coaches for the All Blacks XV’s encounters with Munster at the Thomond Park in Limerick on November 2 and against Georgia at the GGL Stadium in Montpellier on November 10.
McMillan, who was in camp with the All Blacks ahead of their final Rugby Championship Test in Wellington last month, is excited by the squad selected and is looking forward to the opportunity to showcase the skills of the team on the international stage.
“Congratulations to those selected, this is a special moment for the players and their whanau to represent their country,” he said.
‘Great to have a mix of experience and emerging talent’
“Every player will be looking to put their best foot forward in what will be two intense matches up north, in front of passionate fans. It’s great to have a mix of experience and emerging talent, with players rewarded for solid Super Rugby Pacific and provincial seasons.”
All Blacks head coach Robertson, who is also one of the All Blacks XV selectors, said: “I am really pleased with the mix of this squad, having players with All Blacks experience alongside emerging talent is important.
“As an All Black coaching group, we are excited to see these players perform in a Northern Hemisphere environment, to test themselves against different playing styles and build cohesion quickly within the team.
“With both teams in the Northern Hemisphere at the same time, it’s a great chance for the talent who have worked so hard to be given this opportunity to gain experience and express themselves on the international stage.”
A small number of players from the All Blacks XV squad will travel early to Japan with New Zealand’s senior squad to help with their preparation and gain additional experience in the All Blacks environment, before joining up with the All Blacks XV squad.
All Blacks XV squad
Forwards: Xavier Numia, George Dyer, Saula Ma’u, Marcel Renata, George Bower, Brodie McAlister, Kurt Eklund, Bradley Slater, Josh Lord, Fabian Holland, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Peter Lakai, Hoskins Sotutu, Oliver Haig, Christian Lio-Willie
Backs: Noah Hotham, Finlay Christie, Harry Plummer, Josh Jacomb, Quinn Tupaea, Riley Higgins, AJ Lam, Dallas McLeod, Kiniviliame Naholo, Emoni Narawa, Chay Fihaki, Shaun Stevenson
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