Three new caps in All Blacks squad for South Africa

A 44-strong All Blacks squad, including one Counties Manukau Steeler, has been named to travel to South Africa and the United States for the inaugural Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Tour.

All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie and fellow selectors, Sir Graham Henry and Neil Barnes, have retained all 34 players from the initial Nations Championship Southern Series squad, and named an additional 10 players to bolster the group for the seven-week tour.

Halfback Cameron Roigard is the sole Counties Manukau Steeler named in the squad.

Prop Siale Lauaki, loose forward Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa, and inside back Josh Jacomb are the three uncapped players to join the group.

They’re joined by returning All Blacks Ollie Norris, George Bell, Fabian Holland, Ethan Blackadder, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Rieko Ioane and Emoni Narawa.

Rennie congratulated the selected players and says all 44 would be required to play on the tour.

“This tour will challenge us and demand the very best of us. We have selected a squad that we know is up to the challenge.

“It’s a balanced blend of experienced test players and a cohort of younger players who will be keen to work hard and showcase their skillset on tour.

“We’re thrilled for those players who will have the opportunity to pull on the All Blacks jersey for the first time, and welcome back those who are returning to the group.

“With eight matches in six weeks, including a four-test series against the Springboks, this would have to be the toughest tour in rugby.

“Every player will be required to play their part across this tour, whether it’s preparing to play or helping their mates prepare,” says Rennie.

“It will be an intense seven weeks of touring but an excellent opportunity for us to pit ourselves against the current benchmark team in world rugby, and to build connections with each other in a way that only a tour of this scale can do.

“What we learn about ourselves on and off field will set us up well for the Rugby World Cup in 2027.

“The franchise games will provide an opportunity for other leaders in the group to step in as captain, before Ardie Savea arrives in South Africa ahead of the first test match.

“Ardie has carried a massive workload in the last couple of years and we think it’s best for him to have an extended break so he can come back ready to lead us into the test series.

“We have a number of excellent leaders in our squad who will embrace the chance to captain the side,” Rennie says.

The All Blacks kick off Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry in Cape Town on August 7 (SA time) against the Stormers, who finished near the top of the United Rugby Championship (URC) regular season standings.

They will play the Sharks in Durban four days later and then head to Pretoria to take on URC grand finalists, the Bulls, on August 15.

The first test against the Springboks is on August 22 at Johannesburg’s Ellis Park, followed by the final franchise game against the Lions at the same venue on August 25.

The second and third tests will be at DHL Stadium in Cape Town and FNB Stadium in Johannesburg respectively.

Both teams will then travel to the United States to play the fourth and final test in Baltimore, Maryland – the first time the rivals have played each other in America.

New Zealand Rugby chief executive Steve Lancaster says this will be a landmark tour for both rugby-mad nations and a generation of rugby fans.

“This is the next chapter in one of our sport’s defining rivalries. It’s our first full-scale, old-style tour in 30 years – since The Incomparables led by Sean Fitzpatrick pulled off the All Blacks’ first series win in South Africa in 1996.

“Fans from both nations and around the world have embraced the concept with around 3000 fans expected to travel for the tour – the majority from New Zealand.

“We already can’t wait to host the next iteration in 2030 when South Africa embark on their first professional-era tour of New Zealand,” Lancaster says.

All Blacks’ squad for the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Tour of South Africa:

Hookers: Asafo Aumua, Codie Taylor, Samisoni Taukei’aho, George Bell.

Props: Ethan De Groot, George Bower, Xavier Numia, Ollie Norris, Tyrel Lomax, Fletcher Newell, Pasilio Tosi, Siale Lauaki.

Locks: Tupou Vaa’i, Patrick Tuipulotu, Josh Lord, Sam Darry, Fabian Holland.

Loose forwards: Peter Lakai, Simon Parker, Ethan Blackadder, Luke Jacobson, Anton Segner, Ardie Savea (captain), Wallace Sititi, Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa.

Halfbacks: Cameron Roigard, Cortez Ratima, Kyle Preston.

First five-eighths: Ruben Love, Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie, Josh Jacomb.

Midfielders: Jordie Barrett, Quinn Tupaea, Billy Proctor, Anton Lienert-Brown, Timoci Tavatavanawai.

Outside backs: Caleb Clarke, Fehi Fineanganofo, Leroy Carter, Josh Moorby, Will Jordan, Rieko Ioane, Emoni Narawa.

Tour fixtures (NZ kick-off times):

• Saturday, August 8, 5am: v Stormers, DHL Stadium, Cape Town.
• Wednesday, August 12, 5am: v Sharks, Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban.
• Sunday, August 16, 5am: v Bulls, Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria.
• Sunday, August 23, 3am: v Springboks, Ellis Park, Johannesburg (first test).
• Wednesday, August 26, 5am: v Lions, Ellis Park, Johannesburg.
• Sunday, August 30, 3am: v Springboks, DHL Stadium, Cape Town (second test).
• Sunday, September 6, 3am: v Springboks, FNB Stadium, Johannesburg (third test).
• Sunday, September 13, 9am: v Springboks, M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore (fourth test).