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New Zealand’s squad for the upcoming international against Samoa and the subsequent Rugby Championship has been named. The selected players are to train together this week in camp before reassembling on July 01 ahead of the historic test in Apia.
The forty-one man squad features five uncapped players – Nehe Milner-Skudder, James Broadhurst, Lima Sopoaga, Codie Taylor and Fijian Waisake Naholo. They join a group of well established players including four to have earned more than 100 test caps – Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock, Dan Carter and captain Richie McCaw.
The preparation is not without complications are Augustine Pulu, Aaron Cruden, Nathan Harris, Steven Luatua and Patrick Tuipulotu are all missing through injury and the team that will be selected to travel to Apia to face Samoa will be without players from any New Zealand teams involved in the Super Rugby final.
New Zealand will play host to Argentina in the opening round of the Rugby Championship. The fixture will be played in Christchurch on July 11. The countries are also to face-off in the opening weekend of the Rugby World Cup. They will do so on day three of the tournament at Wembley Stadium in London on September 20.
New Zealand squad
Forwards
Dane Coles (Hurricanes), Hikawera Elliot (Chiefs), Keven Mealamu (Blues), Codie Taylor (Crusaders), Wyatt Crockett (Crusaders), Charlie Faumuina (Blues), Ben Franks (Hurricanes), Owen Franks (Crusaders) Joe Moody (Crusaders), Tony Woodcock (Blues), James Broadhurst (Hurricanes), Brodie Retallick (Chiefs), Luke Romano (Crusaders), Jeremy Thrush (Hurricanes), Sam Whitelock (Crusaders), Sam Cane (Chiefs), Jerome Kaino – (Blues), Richie McCaw (Crusaders), Liam Messam (Chiefs), Kieran Read (Crusaders), Matt Todd – (Crusaders), Victor Vito (Hurricanes)
Backs
Tawera Kerr-Barlow (Chiefs), TJ Perenara (Hurricanes), Aaron Smith (Highlanders), Beauden Barrett (Hurricanes), Dan Carter (Crusaders), Colin Slade (Crusaders), Lima Sopoaga (Highlanders), Ryan Crotty (Crusaders), Malakai Fekitoa (Highlanders), Ma’a Nonu (Hurricanes), Conrad Smith (Hurricanes), Sonny Bill Williams (Chiefs), Israel Dagg (Crusaders), Cory Jane (Hurricanes), Nehe Milner-Skudder (Hurricanes), Waisake Naholo (Highlanders), Charles Piutau (Blues), Julian Savea (Hurricanes), Ben Smith (Highlanders)
