Former captain Scott Barrett has been recalled to the All Blacks squad for next month's Bledisloe Cup tests against Australia, while hooker Codie Taylor will captain the side in the Auckland and Sydney matches, New Zealand announced on Tuesday.
Barrett back after 10 months out
The lock returns after ten months on the sidelines following a sabbatical and back surgery, rejoining his brothers Jordie and Beauden in the national setup. Taylor captained the team for the first time in the fourth test against South Africa earlier this month and will continue in the role in the absence of Ardie Savea, who looks likely to miss the rest of the year because of a shoulder injury.
Injuries force a reshuffle
Ruben Love, who has been starting at flyhalf for most of the year, is out with an ankle injury, and uncapped playmaker Josh Jacomb has been called up to join Richie Mo'unga as options at first five-eighth. Flanker Shannon Frizell returns to the squad for the first time since winning his 33rd cap in the 2023 World Cup final, having recently returned to New Zealand from Japan.
Several players remain unavailable through injury: loose forward Luke Jacobson (elbow), lock Patrick Tuipulotu (calf), prop Ollie Norris (knee) and backs Anton Lienert-Brown (knee), Billy Proctor (shoulder) and Caleb Clarke (shoulder).
A trophy held since 2003
The All Blacks have held the Bledisloe Cup since 2003 and begin their defence of the trophy on October 10 at Eden Park, where Australia have not won a test against New Zealand since 1986. "Australia will be a real challenge. It's now a very experienced Wallabies side who have played a lot of Test footy together. After eight games on the road, we're excited to start this series in front of our home crowd," said coach Dave Rennie.
Sources: Reuters — Scott Barrett returns to All Blacks squad, Taylor named skipper for Bledisloe tests
Barrett back after 10 months out
The lock returns after ten months on the sidelines following a sabbatical and back surgery, rejoining his brothers Jordie and Beauden in the national setup. Taylor captained the team for the first time in the fourth test against South Africa earlier this month and will continue in the role in the absence of Ardie Savea, who looks likely to miss the rest of the year because of a shoulder injury.
Injuries force a reshuffle
Ruben Love, who has been starting at flyhalf for most of the year, is out with an ankle injury, and uncapped playmaker Josh Jacomb has been called up to join Richie Mo'unga as options at first five-eighth. Flanker Shannon Frizell returns to the squad for the first time since winning his 33rd cap in the 2023 World Cup final, having recently returned to New Zealand from Japan.
Several players remain unavailable through injury: loose forward Luke Jacobson (elbow), lock Patrick Tuipulotu (calf), prop Ollie Norris (knee) and backs Anton Lienert-Brown (knee), Billy Proctor (shoulder) and Caleb Clarke (shoulder).
A trophy held since 2003
The All Blacks have held the Bledisloe Cup since 2003 and begin their defence of the trophy on October 10 at Eden Park, where Australia have not won a test against New Zealand since 1986. "Australia will be a real challenge. It's now a very experienced Wallabies side who have played a lot of Test footy together. After eight games on the road, we're excited to start this series in front of our home crowd," said coach Dave Rennie.
Sources: Reuters — Scott Barrett returns to All Blacks squad, Taylor named skipper for Bledisloe tests