![]() They know it’s their time, their moment, and they can’t wait to make their mark on the All Black jersey”, Hansen said. Alongside him, 48 test fullback and a World Cup vwinner in 2015, Ben Smith is given the Vice Captain duties.Ī total of six uncapped players were named this morning, and All Black coach Steve Hansen says that he is confident that the mixture of youth and experience within the squad can carry on a famous All Black legacy. “This group of players is very excited about the opportunities that lay ahead of them. ![]() Kieran Read becomes the newest All Black captain, taking over from arguably the greatest player that World Rugby has ever seen, Richie McCaw. With 84 test matches under his belt, Read is not only the most experienced All Black in Hansen’s squad, but the number eight is also a ‘double Rugby World Cup winner’ himself, as well as the World Rugby Player of the Year 2013. With the All Blacks squad announced, the focus now moves from the press conference to the training field and soon, the venues that will host Wales in New Zealand (NZ) The squad has an average age of 26, a total of 920 caps experience for an average of 25 Test caps per player.Youngsters performing well in Super Rugby have been rewarded with a spot in the All Blacks ahead of the three-test series against Wales in June. The squad is made up of nine Blues players, eight Chiefs, five Hurricanes, 11 Crusaders and three Highlanders, while 12 of New Zealand’s provinces are represented, with seven Tasman players, five from Canterbury, four each from Auckland, Waikato and Taranaki, three from Wellington and Counties Manukau, two from Hawke’s Bay, and one each from North Harbour, Manawatu, Otago and Southland. The All Blacks squad is made up of 21 forwards (three hookers, six props, five locks and seven loose forwards) and 15 backs (three halfbacks, two first five–eighths, five midfielders, and five outside backs). The team will assemble for a three-day camp in South Auckland in June before heading into the Tongan Test week.Īll Blacks last played Fiji on 22 July 2011 in last ever test at Carisbrook, Dunedin “This is going to involve hard work and a commitment to our preparation, whilst at the same time expanding our depth, with an eye to the future. Highlanders halfback Folau Fakatava was also not considered for selection due to injury.įoster said the All Blacks had a clear goal for 2021 to be number one in the world again. Our current leadership group is working hard together and we know Sam will lead the team superbly in the Steinlager Series.”Īs well as Cane, several other injured All Blacks weren’t considered for selection, including props Ofa Tuungafasi and Joe Moody and midfielder Jack Goodhue. “He’s hugely experienced, not just as a player but also as a leader, and he has great connections with Sam Cane and the leaders in the team as well. "Sam Whitelock is the right man for the job,” Foster said. “There will be players who will be disappointed at missing out on selection and we feel for them as well.”ġ22-Test lock Samuel Whitelock has been named captain for the Steinlager Series, replacing Sam Cane who is still recovering from chest surgery. It’s an incredibly special day for them and their families and we look forward to catching up with them when we get into camp this week. In naming the first All Blacks squad for 2021, Head Coach Ian Foster said: “Firstly, on behalf of the selectors, I want to congratulate all players selected for this Steinlager Series squad, especially, the new All Blacks, Ethan de Groot and Ethan Blackadder, and Finlay and Quinn. ![]() ![]() Midfielders David Havili, who last played for the national side in 2017, and Braydon Ennor are also back, along with senior All Blacks lock Brodie Retallick, who recently returned from a playing stint in Japan. The squad also sees the return of 2019 All Blacks loose forward Luke Jacobson and prop Angus Ta’avao. The key feature of the squad is the selection of four new All Blacks, in young Highlanders and Southland prop Ethan de Groot Crusaders and Tasman loose forward Ethan Blackadder Blues and Tasman halfback Finlay Christie and young Chiefs and Waikato player Quinn Tupaea. The All Blacks selectors, Head Coach Ian Foster, Assistant Head Coach John Plumtree and former All Black Grant Fox, have named the squad for the 2021 Tests against Fiji and Tonga.
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