FIVE UNCAPPED PLAYERS have been included in the All Blacks’ 35-man training squad ahead of the three-Test series against England in June, with exciting Highlanders centre Malakai Fekitoa among them.
The squad, which will be whittled down to 31 on June the 1st, also marks the return of Jerome Kaino to All Blacks consideration while fly-half Dan Carter is a notable omission as he continues a sabbatical before returning to Test rugby in August.
Blindside flanker Kaino, now back in New Zealand with the Blues, last played for New Zealand in the 2011 World Cup final victory against France before moving to Japan.
22-year-old Fekitoa has been one of the most dangerous backs in Super Rugby this season, scoring five tries in 10 starts for the Highlanders. Unwanted by the Blues after the 2013 season, the Tonga-born centre has been a revelation in Dunedin, even if certain aspects of his game still have capacity for improvement.
The other uncapped faces are Nathan Harris of the Chiefs and the Highlanders’ Liam Coltman [both hookers], imposing Blues lock Patrick Tuipulotu, and Hurricanes scrumhalf TJ Perenara, who was an All Blacks squad member last year but has not played a Test match.
Tuipulotu is a player of particular interest to Steve Hansen and his coaching team, given the 21-year-old’s 120kg, 6ft 6ins frame. With an ability to offload and an ever-growing engine, the Blues second row looks a certain international in the future.
Crusaders lock Luke Romano and Blues fullback Charles Piutau were not considered after suffering long-term leg injuries over the weekend.
With Carter unavailable, his 2011 World Cup understudy Colin Slade earns a call up along with Aaron Cruden, the Chiefs playmaker who has been out since early April with a broken thumb injury.
All Blacks training squad:
Forwards: Keven Mealamu (Auckland Blues), Nathan Harris (Waikato Chiefs), Dane Coles (Wellington Hurricanes), Liam Coltman (Otago Highlanders), Charlie Faumuina (Blues), Tony Woodcock (Blues), Ben Franks (Hurricanes), Wyatt Crockett (Canterbury Crusaders), Owen Franks (Crusaders), Patrick Tuipulotu (Blues), Brodie Retallick (Chiefs), Jeremy Thrush, (Hurricanes), Dominic Bird (Crusaders), Sam Whitelock (Crusaders), Jerome Kaino (Blues), Steven Luatua (Blues), Sam Cane (Chiefs), Liam Messam (Chiefs), Victor Vito (Hurricanes), Richie McCaw (Crusaders), Kieran Read (Crusaders), Luke Whitelock (Crusaders).
Backs: Tawera Kerr-Barlow (Chiefs), TJ Perenara (Hurricanes), Aaron Smith (Highlanders), Aaron Cruden (Chiefs), Beauden Barrett (Hurricanes), Colin Slade (Crusaders), Ma’a Nonu (Blues), Conrad Smith (Hurricanes), Ryan Crotty (Crusaders), Malakai Fekitoa (Highlanders), Cory Jane (Hurricanes), Julian Savea (Hurricanes), Israel Dagg (Crusaders), Ben Smith (Highlanders).
The All Blacks play England in Auckland on June the 7th, Dunedin on June the 14th, and Hamilton on June the 21st.
- Additional reporting by AFP.
I hope they humiliate england and shame them off the pitch
The All Blacks’ succession planning and their blend in their squad of consistency of selection and rewarding form remains far ahead of any other country’s. Hopefully under Mr Schmidt Ireland can achieve this clarity in selection.
But this clarity and consistency stems partly from the media and fans in the rugby culture, where Chiefs fans are understand less representation from their team despite their dominance over recent years, and that the primary factor for selection in achievement for the All Blacks.
Crusaders and Hurricanes have had the highest representation for a few years now, despite Chiefs’ dominance, but there is no aspect of begrudging from the media, you wouldn’t get the likes of Conor George and #jokeshop, as all the different franchises/provinces are prepared to support anyone in the All Black. We can learn a lot from that
I would say this will be the series where Barrett becomes first choice fly half and establish himself as no.2 for the RWC behind DC
New Zealand have 3 of the top 5 10s in the world. in my opinion this is the current order, not much between them though
1: Dan Carter
2: Aaron Cruden
3: Jonny Sexton
4: Beauden Barrett
5: Quade Cooper
Quade cooper? Have you been watching super rugby this year? Toomua is better than him now
Mate I love Matt Toomua, he’s a great player, but it’s a lot easier to play behind Brumbies’ pack than the Reds. Cooper will still be first choice for the Wallabies
Cooper has been playing behind a rubbish pack and alongside inexperienced and out of form backs whereas Toomua has been surrounded by the complete opposite.
The Reds have been nothing short of awful this year but he is still a class act and can do things arguably no other 10 in the world can do.
I expext both to be in the wallaby side but with QC’s experience at test level and his great form in the autumn internationals last year, he will be 10 and Toomua 12
Beale will be at 12 to start at least
Beale is going to play 12 this year I think
I think cooper on his day is the best around but he has been brutal every match I have watched this year. He played very good in the autumn internationals vs wales and ireland but right now toomua is playing much better
I cant see him at 12 alongside QC. Both have question marks over their defence which the opposition will surely target.
Toomua on the other hand is a very assured defender and still brings a bit of the creative spark. Beale will make the wider squad.
Reckon for the wallaby tests against the French it will be:
White
QC
Toomua
Kurindrani
Ashley-Cooper
Cummins
Folau
More interesting will be the forwards selection as oz have some good young locks and props tearing it up this season, one of which got the better of the Springbok front row at the weekend in the brumbies vs sharks match
From what I’ve read from Australia, Beale will be 12 for the France tests at least, Toomua’s a good man to have on the bench. Henry Speight will be eligible this year so might well be on one of the wings
Jessie mogg surley in with a shout aswel
No one but Folau has a shot at fullback, first name on the teamsheet
Name of the song!?
I reckon that’s Anscombe for Wales set in stone now with that squad announcement