High-profile All Blacks Will Jordan and Sam Cane have been named in the 36-man squad for the Rugby Championship, with uncapped Hurricanes back Ruben Love and experienced utility back David Havili also included.
The four have been training with the All Blacks during the three-Test July series but have not played.
Jordan (shoulder) and Cane (back) have returned from injury and their inclusions in the squad are no surprise. In outside back Jordan’s case it prevented from playing Super Rugby for the Crusaders this season, while former skipper Cane’s season in Japan was disrupted by his long-standing issue.
What is more of a surprise is the fact Blues halfback Finlay Christie has not been included in the extended squad. There was no mention of an injury issue in this afternoon’s media release from New Zealand Rugby, so it appears he has been overtaken by newcomers Cortez Ratima and Noah Hotham.
TJ Perenara, who suffered a knee injury against England in the first Test in Dunedin, has been included.
The changing of the guard will likely continue when Cam Roigard recovers from his own knee issue later this year.
Ratima and Hotham have both taken their chances on debut this month, as has Sam Darry, who has also retained his place in the squad.
Darry’s stocks have risen considerably following skipper Scott Barrett’s finger injury in the Test victory over Fiji in San Diego last weekend.
Barrett had surgery last week and his return date is unknown – he’s unlikely to be considered for the two Tests against Argentina starting in Wellington on August 10 and a week later at Eden Park.
Josh Lord will train with the squad as lock cover.
Head coach Scott Robertson said: “It was a tough squad to select because everyone has owned their opportunities. Continuity is important, but it’s also important to reward performance.
“Sam Cane, Will and David bring a lot of experience and leadership to the group and Ruben, Noah and Sam Darry have taken their chance in the environment. It will be a special moment for Ruben being selected for the first time. He’s worked hard in the background and will be ready when his opportunity comes.”
Jordan, the top try scorer at last year’s World Cup, will increase the All Blacks’ strike power considerably, while Cane, the 95-Test veteran, will add to the loose forward stocks.
There are now seven loose forwards in the squad. Both Cane and Jordan will almost certainly feature in the first Test against the Pumas but how Robertson uses them will be intriguing. This will be Cane's final year with the All Blacks after he signed a long-term deal with Japan club Suntory.
Love has been a consistent performer for the Hurricanes this year. The 23-year-old can play fullback and first-five.
He represented the Māori All Blacks and All Blacks XV in 2022, and is the son of former Māori All Black Matene Love.
All Blacks' Rugby Championship squad
(age, Super Rugby club, province, Test caps)
* denotes new cap
Forwards (20)
Hookers:
Asafo Aumua (27 / Hurricanes / Wellington / 9)
Codie Taylor (33 / Crusaders / Canterbury / 87)
George Bell (22 / Crusaders / Canterbury / 1)
Props:
Ethan De Groot (26 / Highlanders / Southland / 25)
Tyrel Lomax (28 / Hurricanes / Tasman / 34)
Fletcher Newell (24 / Crusaders / Canterbury / 16)
Pasilio Tosi (26 / Hurricanes / Bay of Plenty / 1)
Ofa Tu’ungafasi (32 / Blues / Northland / 59)
Tamaiti Williams (23 / Crusaders / Canterbury / 8)
Locks:
Scott Barrett (30 / Crusaders / Taranaki / 72) (Captain)
Tupou Vaa’i (24 / Chiefs / Taranaki / 28)
Patrick Tuipulotu (31 / Blues / Auckland / 45)
Sam Darry (24 / Blues / Canterbury / 1)
Loose Forwards:
Ethan Blackadder (29 / Crusaders / Tasman / 11)
Sam Cane (32 / Chiefs / Bay of Plenty / 95)
Samipeni Finau (25 / Chiefs / Waikato / 3)
Luke Jacobson (27 / Chiefs / Waikato / 21)
Dalton Papali’i (26 / Blues / Counties Manukau / 34)
Ardie Savea (30 / Moana Pasifika / Wellington / 84) (Vice Captain)
Wallace Sititi (21 / Chiefs / North Harbour / 1)
Backs (16)
Halfbacks:
Noah Hotham (21 / Crusaders / Tasman / 1)
TJ Perenara (32 / Hurricanes / Wellington / 81)
Cortez Ratima (23 / Chiefs / Waikato / 2)
First-fives:
Beauden Barrett (33 / Blues / Taranaki / 126)
Damian McKenzie (29 / Chiefs / Waikato / 50)
Mid-fielders:
Jordie Barrett (27 / Hurricanes / Taranaki / 60) (Vice Captain)
David Havili (29 / Crusaders / Tasman / 27)
Rieko Ioane (27 / Blues / Auckland / 71)
Anton Lienert-Brown (29 / Chiefs / Waikato / 73)
Billy Proctor (25 / Hurricanes / Wellington / 1)
Outside backs:
Caleb Clarke (25 / Blues / Auckland / 21)
Will Jordan (26 / Crusaders / Tasman / 31)
Ruben Love (23 / Hurricanes / Wellington / 0)*
Stephen Perofeta (27 / Blues / Taranaki / 5)
Sevu Reece (27 / Crusaders / Southland / 26)
Mark Tele’a (27 / Blues / North Harbour/ 11)
Injury cover: Josh Lord (23 / Chiefs / Taranaki / 4)
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