New All Blacks coach Ian Foster has started his rebuild for the 2023 World Cup with seven new faces in his first squad after watching the North island beating the South 38-35 in a thrilling “trial match” on Saturday.
Looseforwards Hoskins Sotutu and Cullen Grace, locks Quinten Strange and Tupou Vaa’i, prop Alex Hodgman and outside backs Caleb Clarke and Will Jordan were named in the squad yesterday.
Prop Karl Tu’inukuafe and outside back Damian McKenzie have also earned recalls after battling with injury last year, while uncapped looseforward Akira Ioane and hooker Asafo Aumua have also forced their way back into the squad.
Both Ioane and Aumua have played non-Test matches.
All Blacks squad Outside backs: Jordie Barrett, George Bridge, Caleb Clarke, Will Jordan, Damian McKenzie, Sevu Reece.
Centres: Braydon Ennor, Jack Goodhue, Rieko Ioane, Anton Lienert-Brown.
Flyhalves: Beauden Barrett, Richie Mo’unga.
Scrumhalves: TJ Perenara, Aaron Smith, Brad Weber.
Props: Alex Hodgman, Nepo Laulala, Tyrel Lomax, Joe Moody, Karl Tu’inukuafe, Ofa Tuungafasi.
Hookers: Asafo Aumua, Dane Coles, Codie Taylor.
By: GREG STUTCHBURY