Head coach Dave Rennie has named three new caps in his extended squad of 44 for the All Blacks' tour of South Africa: prop Siale Lauaki, loose forward Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa and first-five Josh Jacomb.
The trio are joined by returning All Blacks Ollie Norris, George Bell, Fabian Holland, Ethan Blackadder, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Rieko Ioane and Emoni Narawa.
Rennie also confirmed that skipper Ardie Savea will be a late arrival in South Africa for the first Test against the Boks on August 23, meaning he will have no involvement in the three matches prior.
There is no room for Crusaders halfback Noah Hotham or Hurricanes loose forward Du'Plessi Kirifi, both of whom were in the mix for a return.
Of the new caps, Southland player Tupou Ta'eiloa, who is without a Super Rugby team after Moana Pasifika's collapse, and Chiefs No.10 Jacomb are perhaps the most eye catching.
Tupou Ta'eiloa, 22, is a bruising ball carrier and defender and appears well suited to what will be a physical approach from South Africa's club teams. Jacomb will also likely get an opportunity in the mid-week fixtures in the continuing ineligibility of former All Blacks No.10 Richie Mo'unga.
It is understood that Rennie lobbied the New Zealand Rugby board extremely hard - even during the week of the recent Ireland Test at Eden Park - to get the returning Mo'unga on the trip but to no avail.
While he has named four first-fives: Ruben Love, Damian McKenzie, Beauden Barrett and 25-year-old Jacomb, it is clear that Love, who started the recent Tests against France, Italy and Ireland, is Rennie's top No.10 of the current crop, with McKenzie now seen as more of a fullback.
Mo'unga, likely to play for Canterbury against Auckland in Christchurch on Saturday, will presumably be on standby for the All Blacks in case of injury.
Barrett, not involved in any of the recent match-day squads, has drifted further from the pack but will be expected to provide a leadership role - especially in the fixtures against the Stormers, Sharks, Bulls and Lions.
Lauaki, 23, is a Wellington and Hurricanes prop who can play both sides of the scrum. The inclusion of Lauaki and Norris means there are eight props on the tour.
Rennie said in a statement: “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 are 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.
“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,” Rennie said.
The head coach had signalled that captain Savea would make a late start to the tour in terms of playing involvement due to a heavy recent workload, and that was confirmed today when he said Savea would not be on the plane with the rest of the squad.
“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," Rennie said.
"Ardie has carried a massive workload in the last couple of years and we think it is 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.”
The All Blacks will kick off "Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry" in Cape Town on August 8 NZT. They will play the Sharks in Durban four days later.
The first Test against the Springboks is on August 23 at Johannesburg’s Ellis Park.
All Blacks squad
(age, Super Rugby Club, province, Test caps):
* denotes new cap
Forwards (25)
Hookers: Asafo Aumua (29 / Hurricanes / Wellington / 22), Codie Taylor (35 / Crusaders / Canterbury / 109), Samisoni Taukei’aho (28 / Chiefs / Waikato / 44), George Bell (24 / Crusaders / Canterbury / 4)
Props: Ethan De Groot (27 / Highlanders / Southland / 43), George Bower (34 / Crusaders / Otago / 26), Xavier Numia (27 / Hurricanes / Wellington / 2), Ollie Norris (26 / Chiefs / Waikato / 3), Tyrel Lomax (30 / Hurricanes / Tasman / 51), Fletcher Newell (26 / Crusaders / Canterbury / 37), Pasilio Tosi (27 / Hurricanes / Bay of Plenty / 17), Siale Lauaki * (23 / Hurricanes / Wellington / 0)
Locks: Tupou Vaa’i (26 / Chiefs / Taranaki / 47), Patrick Tuipulotu (33 / Blues / Auckland / 57), Josh Lord (25 / Chiefs / Taranaki / 15), Sam Darry (26 / Blues / Canterbury / 10), Fabian Holland (23 / Highlanders / Otago / 12)
Loose Forwards: Peter Lakai (23 / Hurricanes / Wellington / 10), Simon Parker (26 / Chiefs / Northland / 8), Ethan Blackadder (31 / Crusaders / Tasman / 14), Luke Jacobson (29 / Chiefs / Waikato / 27), Anton Segner (25 / Blues / Auckland / 2), Ardie Savea (32 / Moana Pasifika / Wellington / 109) (Captain), Wallace Sititi (23 / Chiefs / North Harbour / 21), Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa * (22 / Moana Pasifika / Southland / 0)
Backs (19)
Halfbacks: Cameron Roigard (25 / Hurricanes / Counties Manukau / 20), Cortez Ratima (25 / Chiefs / Waikato / 24), Kyle Preston (26 / Crusaders / Wellington / 1)
First Five-Eighths: Ruben Love (25 / Hurricanes / Wellington / 8), Beauden Barrett (35 / Blues / Taranaki / 144), Damian McKenzie (31 / Chiefs / Waikato / 77), Josh Jacomb * (25 / Chiefs / Taranaki / 0)
Midfielders: Jordie Barrett (29 / Hurricanes / Taranaki / 81), Quinn Tupaea (27 / Chiefs / Waikato / 26), Billy Proctor (27 / Hurricanes / Wellington / 13), Anton Lienert-Brown (31 / Chiefs / Waikato / 90), Timoci Tavatavanawai (28 / Highlanders / Tasman / 2)
Outside Backs: Caleb Clarke (27 / Blues / Auckland / 35), Fehi Fineanganofo (23 / Hurricanes / Bay of Plenty / 1), Leroy Carter (27 / Chiefs / Bay of Plenty / 7), Josh Moorby (28 / Hurricanes / Waikato / 2), Will Jordan (28 / Crusaders / Tasman / 57), Rieko Ioane (29 / Blues / Auckland / 88), Emoni Narawa (27 / Chiefs / Bay of Plenty / 4)
Unavailable due to injury: Tamaiti Williams, Scott Barrett and Leicester Fainga’anuku.
Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Fixtures
(all times NZT)
Saturday 8 August, 5:00am: All Blacks v Stormers, DHL Stadium, Cape Town
Wednesday 12 August, 5:00am: All Blacks v Sharks, Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban
Sunday 16 August, 5:00am: All Blacks v Bulls, Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Sunday 23 August, 3:00am: All Blacks v Springboks, Ellis Park, Johannesburg (first Test)
Wednesday 26 August, 5:00am: All Blacks v Lions, Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Sunday 30 August, 3:00am: All Blacks v Springboks, DHL Stadium, Cape Town (second Test)
Sunday 6 September, 3:00am: All Blacks v Springboks, FNB Stadium, Johannesburg (third Test)
Sunday 13 September, 3:05am: All Blacks v Springboks, M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore (fourth Test)
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