Sourced Content, Auckland, August 29, 2021
Sam Whitelock, who led the side in the first two Bledisloe Cup tests, did not travel to Perth on August 26, 2021 as he is remaining in New Zealand for the birth of the newest addition to his family.
Captain and centurion lock Sam Whitelock, filling in for Sam Cane, and veteran halfback Aaron Smith are also remaining in New Zealand due to the imminent arrivals of their respective babies.
All three will link up with the team at a later date.
Savea led the Hurricanes in Super Rugby this year in the absence of TJ Perenara.
He has played 52 tests since making his debut in 2016 and came off the bench in the All Blacks’ first Rugby Championship test at Eden Park earlier last month. Lock Brodie Retallick and first-five Beauden Barrett have been named as Savea’s Vice-Captains.
The All Blacks’ next Rugby Championship test in Perth against the Wallabies on September 5, 2021. They have also selected just one first five in the 35-man group.
With Richie Mo’unga staying home for the birth of his child, Beauden Barrett is the only number 10 in the group that leaves for Perth today.
Damian McKenzie, TJ Perenara and Jordie Barrett are among the players likely to provide backup at the first five.
New Captain to be named
A new Captain is yet to be named, though Codie Taylor has been touted as a likely replacement. Foster said that a decision has been made, though he would not reveal it.
“To be honest, We are clear. But over the last couple of days, as we got certainty of the squad, who was coming and the family situations, we decided to leave our leaders to have a couple of days of grace and just to enjoy being at home. They have done a fantastic job behind the scenes, getting the squad ready to go,” he said.
Taylor said that there is ample time for the team to get used to the grounds in Perth.
The All Blacks are up to their fourth Captain this year.
The team left for Perth without any of the players who have been captain so far in 2021.
Foster said that he was waiting until the team was settled in Australia before making the announcement.
“It has been an eventful 12 months with captains, hasn’t it? Sam Cane initially and then his injury, and then Sam Whitelock’s came in and he has done a fantastic job. We also had Aaron Smith this year when Sammy was not playing, and now Aaron is not there. It has, I guess, tested our depth in that regard,” he said.
Confidence in Leadership Plan
Foster said that the All Blacks have confidence in the Leadership Plan.
“But we have confidence in our leadership plan, the work done by Gilbert (Enoka, Mental Skills Coach) with our leaders and that programme’s been outstanding the last 12 months.
“We know who we want, we just want to get over to Perth and, I guess, create some energy by having those conversations once we are over there,” he said.
Loose forward Shannon Frizell, who recently offered diversion on assault charges relating to an incident in May this year in Dunedin, has not been named in the squad.
“It is related to his visa access into Australia. Clearly, he has still got aspects to work through with regards to his court case and we are confident that he will do so,” Foster said.
The All Blacks play the final Bledisloe Cup/Rugby Championship test in Perth next weekend, before relocating to Queensland for four Rugby Championship games against the Springboks and Argentina.
Injured Hooker Dane Coles is not in the squad but is expected to join the side later in the Rugby Championship campaign.
However, props Joe Moody and Ofa Tuungafasi, both returning from injury, have been included, as has midfielder Braydon Ennor.
Foster said leaving the three expectant fathers and Coles in Aotearoa was the right decision, despite not knowing when the trio might re-join the team.
“It has been difficult saying goodbye. But the reality is that is what we have to do in these times. The fact that what normally would mean people missing one test is now three or four has just complicated the whole issue. But the solution is pretty simple,” Foster said.
He described the 12-week trip as a “tour like no other.”
“We will be playing ten Tests in 12 weeks in both the Southern and Northern Hemispheres, and with Covid-19, travel and quarantine restrictions, this will be a tour like no other for us in the professional era. We cannot wait to get underway and once again represent our country on the world stage,” Foster said.
The All Blacks initial travelling squad
Forwards: Hookers: Asafo Aumua, Samisoni Taukei’aho and Codie Taylor. Props: George Bower, Ethan de Groot, Nepo Laulala, Tyrel Lomax, Joe Moody, Angus Ta’avao, Karl Tu’inukuafe and Ofa Tuungafasi. Locks: Scott Barrett, Brodie Retallick, Patrick Tuipulotu and Tupou Vaa’i. Loose forwards: Ethan Blackadder, Akira Ioane, Luke Jacobson, Dalton Papalii, Ardie Savea and Hoskins Sotutu. Backs: Halfbacks: Finlay Christie, TJ Perenara and Brad Weber. First five-eighths: Beauden Barrett. Midfielders: Braydon Ennor, David Havili, Rieko Ioane, Anton Lienert-Brown and Quinn Tupaea. Outside backs: Jordie Barrett, George Bridge, Will Jordan, Damian McKenzie and Sevu Reece.
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