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New Zealand has named its roster for the Rugby Championship. The All Blacks roster is exclusively made-up of New Zealand based players. The Japanese-based Brodie Retallick is one instance of an elite player excluded from considerations.
The All Blacks are now captained by Sam Cane. The Chiefs flanker replaces Kieran Read. The roster was selected by Head Coach Ian Foster together with Assistant Coach John Plumtree and collaborator Grant Fox.
The roster contains seven uncapped players. They are Caleb Clarke, Cullen Grace, Alex Hodgman, Will Jordan, Hoskins Sotutu, Quinten Strange and Tupou Vaa’i. All men had excellent campaigns in the recent Super Rugby Aotearoa competition.
Not considered due to injury are Scott Barrett, Atu Moli and Ngani Laumape.
Dates, kick-off times and venues remain unconfirmed for the Rugby Championship. The tournament will not involve matches in Argentina. Instead, all matches will be played in either New Zealand or Australia.
Hooker
Asafo Aumua (Hurricanes)
Dane Coles (Hurricanes)
Codie Taylor (Crusaders)
Prop
Alex Hodgman (Blues)
Nepo Laulala (Chiefs)
Tyrel Lomax (Highlanders)
Joe Moody (Crusaders)
Karl Tu’inukuafe (Blues)
Ofa Tuungafasi (Blues)
Second-Row
Quinten Strange (Crusaders)
Patrick Tuipulotu (Blues)
Tupou Vaa’i (Chiefs)
Samuel Whitelock (Crusaders)
Back-Row
Sam Cane (Chiefs)
Shannon Frizell (Highlanders)
Cullen Grace (Crusaders)
Akira Ioane (Blues)
Dalton Papalii (Blues)
Ardie Savea (Hurricanes)
Hoskins Sotutu (Blues)
Scrum Half
TJ Perenara (Hurricanes)
Aaron Smith (Highlanders)
Brad Weber (Chiefs)
Fly Half
Beauden Barrett (Blues)
Richie Mo’unga (Crusaders)
Center
Braydon Ennor (Crusaders)
Jack Goodhue (Crusaders)
Rieko Ioane (Blues)
Anton Lienert-Brown (Chiefs)
Wing
George Bridge (Crusaders)
Caleb Clarke (Blues)
Sevu Reece (Crusaders)
Fullback
Jordie Barrett (Hurricanes)
Will Jordan (Crusaders)
Damian McKenzie (Chiefs)
