All Blacks select huge squad for tour

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Auckland flank Dalton Papali'i
  • Post published:October 15, 2018

Steve Hansen has named a 32-man squad for the All Blacks’ end-of-year tour as well a wider squad of 19 players for the Test against Japan.

Auckland flank Dalton Papali’i is the only uncapped player in the main squad. The seven new All Blacks in the wider squad are Tasman prop Tyrel Lomax, Taranaki prop Reuben O’Neill, Hawke’s Bay loose forward Gareth Evans, North Harbour scrumhalf Bryn Hall, Canterbury flyhalf Brett Cameron, Wellington midfielder Matt Proctor and Canterbury wing George Bridge.

Loose forward Matt Todd, who plays for the Panasonic Wild Knights in Japan, has also been selected after being granted an exemption by New Zealand Rugby.

Hooker Dane Coles is back from injury, along with props Nepo Laulala and Joe Moody, lock Brodie Retallick and loose forward Liam Squire.

The All Blacks kick off their tour with a match against the Wallabies in Yokohama on 27 October, before facing Japan in Tokyo, England at Twickenham, Ireland in Dublin and Italy in Rome.

All Blacks squads:

32 players for Wallabies Test and European tour:

Hookers: Dane Coles, Nathan Harris, Codie Taylor
Props: Owen Franks, Nepo Laulala, Joe Moody, Karl Tu’inukuafe, Ofa Tuungafasi
Locks: Scott Barrett, Brodie Retallick, Patrick Tuipulotu, Sam Whitelock
Loose forwards: Vaea Fifita, Dalton Papalii, Kieran Read (c), Ardie Savea, Liam Squire, Matt Todd
Scrumhalves: TJ Perenara, Aaron Smith, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi
Flyhalves: Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie, Richie Mo’unga
Midfielders: Ryan Crotty, Jack Goodhue*, Anton Lienert-Brown, Sonny Bill Williams
Outside backs: Jordie Barrett, Rieko Ioane, Waisake Naholo, Ben Smith

19 players for Japan Test:

Hookers: Asafo Aumua, Liam Coltman
Props: Tyrel Lomax, Reuben O’Neill, Tim Perry, Angus Ta’avao
Locks: Luke Romano
Loose forwards: Jackson Hemopo, Gareth Evans, Dillon Hunt, Luke Whitelock
Scrumhalves: Mitchell Drummond, Bryn Hall
Flyhalves: Brett Cameron
Midfielders: Ngani Laumape*, Matt Proctor
Outside backs: George Bridge, David Havili, Nehe Milner-Skudder

*Goodhue will miss the Bledisloe Test because of Glandular fever and his spot will be taken by Laumape

Photo: Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images