New Zealand rugby selectors have retained the bulk of the All Blacks from the patchy Rugby Championship this winter for the tour to the northern Hemisphere.
All Blacks Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The squad features the return of 56-Test midfielder Anton Lienert-Brown who has made a successful return to play following shoulder surgery. The 27-year-old is a timely addition to a midfield group which is missing Quinn Tupaea and Jack Goodhue due to injury.
"The Northern Tour is always a highlight in the All Black calendar and this year is no exception," said coach Ian Foster.
Anton Lienert Brown Photo: PHOTOSPORT
"With less than a year till the start of the Rugby World Cup, this tour gives us another great opportunity to grow from where we finished the Rugby Championship. Experiencing big Test matches in the north is great preparation for what is to come in France next year.
While there is a combined 1362 Test caps across this squad, a number of capped players will be given the opportunity to gain valuable experience on tour with the All Blacks XV.
Coached by Leon MacDonald, the squad is named Monday and will boost the depth in New Zealand's talent pool as Rugby World Cup 2023 approaches.
The 35-strong All Blacks squad will play Japan, Wales, Scotland and England in a tour which will test how far they have improved after losses to Ireland, South Africa and Argetina this winter.
All Blacks squad
Forwards:
Hookers
Dane Coles (35, Hurricanes / Wellington, 84)
Samisoni Taukei'aho (25, Chiefs / Waikato, 17)
Codie Taylor (31, Crusaders / Canterbury, 72)
Props
George Bower (30, Crusaders / Otago, 19)
Ethan de Groot (24, Highlanders / Southland, 10)
Nepo Laulala (31, Blues / Counties Manukau, 42)
Tyrel Lomax (26, Hurricanes / Tasman, 20)
Fletcher Newell (22, Crusaders / Canterbury, 4)
Ofa Tu'ungafasi (30, Blues / Northland, 48)
Locks
Scott Barrett (28, Crusaders / Taranaki, 55)
Brodie Retallick (31, Chiefs / Hawke's Bay, 98)
Tupou Vaa'i (22, Chiefs / Taranaki, 15)
Samuel Whitelock (33, Crusaders / Canterbury, 140)
Loose Forwards
Sam Cane - Captain (30, Chiefs / Bay of Plenty, 85)
Shannon Frizell (28, Highlanders / Tasman, 21)
Akira Ioane (27, Blues / Auckland, 19)
Dalton Papali'i (24, Blues / Counties Manukau, 18)
Ardie Savea (28, Hurricanes / Wellington, 67)
Hoskins Sotutu (24, Blues / Counties Manukau, 12)
Backs:
Halfbacks
Finlay Christie (27, Blues / Tasman, 12)
Folau Fakatava (22, Highlanders / Hawke's Bay, 2)
Aaron Smith (33, Highlanders / Manawatu, 111)
First five-eighths
Beauden Barrett (31, Blues / Taranaki, 109)
Richie Mo'unga (28, Crusaders / Canterbury, 41)
Stephen Perofeta (25, Blues / Taranaki, 1)
Midfielders
Braydon Ennor (25, Crusaders / Canterbury, 5)
David Havili (27, Crusaders / Tasman, 21)
Rieko Ioane (25, Blues / Auckland, 56)
Anton Lienert-Brown (27, Chiefs / Waikato, 56)
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (29, Blues / Auckland, 2)
Outside backs
Jordie Barrett (25, Hurricanes / Taranaki, 45)
Caleb Clarke (23, Blues / Auckland, 11)
Leicester Fainga'anuku (22, Crusaders / Tasman, 2)
Will Jordan (24, Crusaders / Tasman, 21)
Sevu Reece (25, Crusaders / Tasman, 21)
Unavailable for selection due to injury - Ethan Blackadder, Jack Goodhue, Josh Lord, Joe Moody and Quinn Tupaea.