New Zealand update traveling squad for Tri-Nations

New Zealand have named a 38-strong traveling squad for the revised Rugby Championship to be hosted by Australia. Two uncapped forwards have been added to the Tri-Nations Cup roster as winger George Bridge drops out after suffering a long-term pectoral injury in training.

Called up for the first time are versatile Crusaders prop George Bower and Hurricanes openside flanker Du’Plessis Kirifi. Crusaders lock Scott Barrett and Hurricanes midfield duo Ngani Laumape and Peter Umaga-Jensen make the trip after joining the team during the Bledisloe Cup series.

There are four other members of the squad awaiting their first cap having not featured in either Wellington or Auckland. Hurricanes hooker Asafo Aumua and a trio of Crusaders – lock Mitchell Dunshea, blindside flanker Cullen Grace, and outside back Will Jordan – will hope to debut in the coming weeks.

The All Blacks open the tournament against the Wallabies in Sydney on October 31. They will close out the Bledisloe Cup the following week in Brisbane before returning to Sydney to face Los Pumas on November 14. Their final match of the year will be against Argentina in Newcastle on November 28.

PROP
George Bower (Crusaders), Alex Hodgman (Blues), Nepo Laulala (Chiefs), Tyrel Lomax (Hurricanes), Joe Moody (Crusaders), Karl Tu’inukuafe (Blues), Ofa Tu’ungafasi (Blues)

HOOKER
Asafo Aumua (Hurricanes), Dane Coles (Hurricanes), Codie Taylor (Crusaders)

LOCK
Scott Barrett (Crusaders), Mitchell Dunshea (Crusaders), Patrick Tu’ipulotu (Blues), Tupou Vaa’i (Chiefs), Sam Whitelock (Crusaders)

BACK ROW
Sam Cane (capt., Chiefs), Shannon Frizell (Highlanders), Cullen Grace (Crusaders), Akira Ioane (Blues), Du’Plessis Kirifi (Hurricanes), Dalton Papali’i (Blues), Ardie Savea (Hurricanes), Hoskins Sotutu (Blues)

SCRUMHALF
TJ Perenara (Hurricanes), Aaron Smith (Highlanders), Brad Weber (Chiefs)

FLYHALF
Beauden Barrett (Blues), Richie Mo’unga (Crusaders)

CENTER
Jack Goodhue (Crusaders), Rieko Ioane (Blues), Ngani Laumape (Hurricanes), Anton Lienert-Brown (Chiefs), Peter Umaga-Jensen (Hurricanes)

WING
Caleb Clarke (Blues), Will Jordan (Crusaders), Sevu Reece (Crusaders)

FULLBACK
Jordie Barrett (Hurricanes), Damian McKenzie (Chiefs)