All Blacks Head Coach Scott Robertson, alongside his assistant coaches Scott Hansen, Jason Holland, Leon MacDonald, and Jason Ryan, has unveiled the team set to face England in the inaugural match of the 2024 Steinlager Ultra Low Carb Series.
The game will take place at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin.
The 23-man squad will be captained for the first time by lock Scott Barrett, with Ardie Savea and Jordie Barrett serving as vice-captains. The lineup features a blend of experience and fresh talent, including the return of halfback TJ Perenara, right wing Sevu Reece, blindside flanker Samipeni Finau, and fullback Stephen Perofeta.
All Blacks match-day 23 (Test caps in brackets):
1. Ethan de Groot (22)
2. Codie Taylor (85)
3. Tyrel Lomax (32)
4. Scott Barrett (69) (Captain)
5. Patrick Tuipulotu (43)
6. Samipeni Finau (1)
7. Dalton Papali’i (32)
8. Ardie Savea (81) (Vice Captain)
9. TJ Perenara (80)
10. Damian McKenzie (47)
11. Mark Tele’a (9)
12. Jordie Barrett (57) (Vice Captain)
13. Rieko Ioane (67)
14. Sevu Reece (23)
15. Stephen Perofeta (3)
Reserves:
16. Asafo Aumua (6)
17. Ofa Tu’ungafasi (57)
18. Fletcher Newell (13)
19. Tupou Vaa’i (25)
20. Luke Jacobson (18)
21. Finlay Christie (21)
22. Anton Lienert-Brown (70)
23. Beauden Barrett (123)
“This was a very tough squad to pick, but we’ve selected the best 23 players to beat England on Saturday,” Robertson said. “There is a lot of excitement in the group for our first Test and we’re walking together toward this opportunity to represent New Zealand and our families in Dunedin in front of a sold-out stadium. We’ve prepared well and we’re ready.”
The All Blacks squad collectively boasts 934 Test caps, showcasing a wealth of experience particularly in the backline with centre Rieko Ioane (67 caps) and halves Perenara (80) and McKenzie (47). The bench features a dynamic mix of seasoned players, with Anton Lienert-Brown and Beauden Barrett contributing a combined 193 Test caps.
At 32, Perenara is set to make his first Test appearance in nearly two years after recovering from a ruptured Achilles. Reece, the top try scorer in Super Rugby Pacific this year, returns for his first Test since 2022 following an ACL injury. Perofeta and Finau are also poised to make significant contributions, with Finau looking to build on his debut at Forsyth Barr Stadium last year.
The opening match marks the eleventh contest for the Hillary Shield, a trophy introduced in 2008 to honor Sir Edmund Hillary and the enduring ties between New Zealand and England.
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— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) July 3, 2024
