Patrick Tuipulotu will captain the All Blacks XV side. Photo / Photosport
Patrick Tuipulotu will captain the All Blacks XV side. Photo / Photosport
Auckland and Blues lock Patrick Tuipulotu will captain the inaugural All Blacks XV squad selected for two matches against Ireland A and the Barbarians next month.
The 28-strong All Blacks XV squad was selected by the All Blacks coaching team of Ian Foster, Joe Schmidt and Jason Ryan and includes eight players with test experience including Tuipulotu, Aidan Ross, Angus Ta'avao, Asafo Aumua, Luke Jacobson, TJ Perenara, Brad Weber and Damian McKenzie.
Leon MacDonald is head coach of the All Blacks XV, alongside assistant coaches Clayton McMillan and Scott Hansen.
The squad will boost the depth in New Zealand's talent pool as Rugby World Cup 2023 approaches.
"We are expecting an intense challenge from both Ireland A and the Barbarians," said MacDonald. "These two fixtures will allow players to showcase what they have and put their best foot forward on an international stage.
"The selection panel have named a dynamic All Blacks XV squad, with eight capped All Blacks who know how to perform at this level and emerging talent. To play at international level is extremely valuable for the players and I am looking forward to guiding the team in what will be a first for the All Blacks XV."
Leon MacDonald is the head coach of the All Blacks XV. Photo / Photosport
All Blacks head coach and All Blacks XV selector Foster added: "The squad has a mixture of some experienced players and some younger talent coming through that we, as a group of All Blacks, are really keen to see how they progress in a Northern Hemisphere environment.
"It's a great opportunity for them to play with a black jersey on, in a different environment and test themselves against different game plans and styles. Hopefully, that will help prepare us really well in another part of our building blocks for the Rugby World Cup next year."
The All Blacks XV assemble on 28 October, travelling to Dublin where they will play Ireland A at RDS Arena on November 5, followed by a clash against the Barbarians at Tottenham Stadium in London on 14 November.
The All Blacks XV squad
Forwards
Props
Finlay Brewis (22, Crusaders / Canterbury) Oli Jager (27, Crusaders / Canterbury) Aidan Ross (26, Chiefs / Bay of Plenty) Angus Ta'avao (32, Chiefs / Auckland) Tamaiti Williams (22, Crusaders / Canterbury)
Hookers
Asafo Aumua (25, Hurricanes / Wellington) George Bell (20, Crusaders / Canterbury) Brodie McAlister (25, Crusaders / Canterbury)
Locks
Josh Dickson (27, Highlanders / Otago) Zach Gallagher (21, Crusaders / Canterbury) Patrick Tuipulotu - Captain (29, Blues / Auckland)
Loose Forwards
Dominic Gardiner (21, Crusaders / Canterbury) Billy Harmon (27, Highlanders / Canterbury) Luke Jacobson (25, Chiefs / Waikato) Christian Lio-Willie (24, Crusaders / Otago) Marino Mikaele-Tu'u (24, Highlanders, Hawkes Bay)
