All Blacks coach Scott Robertson has selected veterans Sam Cane and TJ Perenara in his 36-man touring squad for their Northern tour.
There were questions over whether he would select the pair, who are in their final year with the All Blacks before taking up long-term overseas contracts, or look more towards the future and give up-and-comers an opportunity.
Robertson has included both, halfback Perenara joined by the returning Cam Roigard and Cortez Ratima and Cane part of a status quo loose forward mix from the Rugby Championship.
Cane in particular has been hugely important to the All Blacks with his leadership and will likely be crucial on a difficult tour which includes Tests against Japan, England, Ireland, France and Italy.
The only change to the Rugby Championship squad is Roigard's inclusion after his recovery from a long-term knee injury.
"It was fantastic to see Cam in great form for Counties in the weekend and we are excited to have him back in the mix," Robertson said in a statement.
"Fellow halfbacks Cortez Ratima and TJ Perenara showed during the Rugby Championship that they deserve their spots in the squad, and this means Noah Hotham will be included in the All Blacks XV squad to be announced tomorrow, where he will be able to gain some valuable playing time.
"This Northern Tour is an exciting challenge, which will allow us to continue evolving our game and building a style of rugby that creates opportunities against some fierce competition.
"We have selected a squad that will bring consistency and continuity, while also achieving the right balance of giving newer talent the chance to develop within a team that has valuable experience against these Northern Hemisphere sides."
In addition to the squad of 36, a small number of players from the All Blacks XV squad will travel to Japan with the All Blacks to help with their preparation and gain additional experience in the All Blacks environment, before joining up with the All Blacks XV squad to play Munster and Georgia in November.
This will also allow a group of players from the All Blacks squad to travel to England two days earlier to focus on preparation for the Northern Tour test matches.
All Blacks squad for Northern tour
Forwards (20)
Hookers: Asafo Aumua, Codie Taylor, George Bell; Props: Ethan De Groot, Tyrel Lomax, Fletcher Newell, Pasilio Tosi, Ofa Tu'ungafasi,Tamaiti Williams; Locks: Scott Barrett, Tupou Vaa'I, Patrick Tuipulotu, Sam Darry; Loose forwards: Ethan Blackadder, Sam Cane, Samipeni Finau, Luke Jacobson, Dalton Papali'i, Ardie Savea, Wallace Sititi.
Backs (16)
Halfbacks: Cam Roigard, TJ Perenara, Cortez Ratima; First five-eighths: Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie; Midfielders: Jordie Barrett, David Havili, Rieko Ioane, Anton Lienert-Brown, Billy Proctor; Outside backs: Caleb Clarke, Will Jordan, Ruben Love, Stephen Perofeta, Sevu Reece, Mark Tele'a.
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