WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — All Blacks captain Scott Barrett is in doubt at least for the first two rounds of the Rugby Championship after having surgery to repair a finger injury.
Barrett suffered the injury in the second test against Fiji on July 20 and while he was named Sunday in the 36-man All Blacks Rugby Championship squad, his fitness is being monitored.
Head coach Scott Robertson named a 32-man squad for the two England tests and the test against Fiji in San Diego, all of which were won by New Zealand. Robertson has retained all of those players and added four more for the championship which begins with home tests against Argentina at Wellington on Aug. 10 and Auckland on Aug. 17.
Former captain and 95-test veteran Sam Cane has been recalled after recovering from a back injury, adding more depth in the backrow, while uncapped Hurricanes fullback Ruben Love has received his first international call-up.
Fullback or winger Will Jordan is recalled after missing all of the Super Rugby season with a shoulder injury and David Havili is back in the squad as a midfield option.
Lock Josh Lord has been called in as cover while Barrett’s injury is assessed.
T.J. Perenara has been named among the three scrumhalves in the squad while recovering from a knee injury sustained in the first test against England. Noah Hotham who joined the squad when Perenara was injured has been retained, as has Sam Darry who is one of four locks in the squad.
“It was a tough squad to select because everyone has owned their opportunities. Continuity is important but it’s also important to reward performance,” Robertson said. “Sam Cane, Will and David bring a lot of experience and leadership to the group and Ruben, Noah and Sam Darry have taken their chance in the environment.
“It will be a special moment for Ruben being selected for the first time. He’s worked hard in the background and will be ready when his opportunity comes.”
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New Zealand squad: 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 (captain), Tupou Vaa’i, Patrick Tuipulotu, Sam Darry. Loose Forwards, Ethan Blackadder, Sam Cane, Samipeni Finau, Luke Jacobson, Dalton Papali’i, Ardie Savea, Wallace Sititi. Scrumhalves, Noah Hotham, T.J. Perenara, Cortez Ratima. Flyhalves, Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie. Mid-fielders, 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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AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby
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Publish date : 2024-07-28 03:48:00
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