Scott Barrett has been named as the new All Blacks captain, with a 32-man squad including five uncapped players announced today ahead of the 2024 Steinlager Ultra Low Carb Series.
The team selected by All Blacks coach Scott Robertson and his four assistant coaches Scott Hansen, Jason Holland, Leon MacDonald and Jason Ryan will play two Tests against England in Dunedin and Auckland and one against Fiji in San Diego.
Scott Barrett, 30, will become the 81st man to captain the All Blacks in a Test if he adds to the 69 Test caps he has won since his debut against Ireland in 2016, and will be assisted by two Vice Captains, Ardie Savea and Jordie. Barrett.
βWhen you think about the leaders that have come before you, it’s very humbling to be asked to captain the All Blacks, so it’s not something I take lightly. It’s a big responsibility but I’ve got two great leaders next to me in Ardie and Jordy and I know we’ll have the full support of the coaches,” Barrett said.
Robertson said his long-standing relationship with Scott Barrett was a factor in his selection as captain.
βThere are some great leaders on our team, but having that existing connection with Scott was important. He is tactically intelligent, leads from the front and has the respect of players and coaches. Leadership is a shared responsibility and Ardie, Jordie and our wider leadership team will be vital to how we come together and connect ahead of the first Test against England.
“As a coaching group, we are delighted with the squad we have selected. We know they are a team that can play the style of rugby we want the All Blacks to play in 2024.”
Robertson also congratulated the five players in the squad without players – footballer George Bell, winger Pacilio Tosi, midfielder Cortez Ratima, center Billy Proctor and loose forward Wallace City, who at 21 is the youngest player in the squad .
“It’s a proud moment for them and their families. They have earned their spots through performance and consistency and it is an exciting time in their careers. As coaches, we will prepare them so that they can take advantage of their opportunity when it comes.”
The All Blacks Steinlager Low Carb Series squad will gather at the NZCIS in Wellington for the first time on Wednesday 26 June, where they will be joined by hundreds of young rugby players and guests to officially kick off the 2024 Test season.
Blues lock Sam Darry, Hurricanes outside back Ruben Love and Crusaders pair George Bower and midfielder David Havili will also join the squad as cover.
The 32-man squad for the Steinlager Ultra Low Carb Series is as follows: (Age, Super Rugby Club, Province, Test caps)
Forwards (18)
Hooker
Asafo Aumua (27 / Hurricanes / Wellington / 6)
Codie Taylor (33 / Crusaders / Canterbury / 85)
George Bell* (22 / Crusaders / Canterbury / 0)
Props
Ethan De Groot (25 / Highlanders / Southland / 22)
Tyrel Lomax (28 / Hurricanes / Tasman / 32)
Fletcher Newell (24 / Crusaders / Canterbury / 13)
Pasilio Tosi* (25 / Hurricanes / Bay of Plenty / 0)
Ofa Tu’ungafasi (32 / Blues / Northland / 57)
Tamaiti Williams (23 / Crusaders / Canterbury / 7)
Locks
Scott Barrett (30 / Crusaders / Taranaki / 69) (Captain)
Tupou Vaa’i (24 / Chiefs / Taranaki / 25)
Patrick Tuipulotu (31 / Blues / Auckland / 43)
Loose Forwards
Ethan Blackadder (29 / Crusaders / Tasman / 10)
Samipeni Finau (25 / Chiefs / Waikato / 1)
Luke Jacobson (27 / Chiefs / Waikato / 18)
Dalton Papali’i (26 / Blues / Counties Manukau / 32)
Ardie Savea (30 / Hurricanes / Wellington / 81) (Vice Captain)
Wallace Sititi* (21 / Chiefs / North Harbor / 0)
Back (14)
midfielder
Finlay Christie (28 / Blues / Tasman / 21)
TJ Perenara (32 / Hurricanes / Wellington / 80)
Cortez Ratima* (23 / Chiefs / Waikato / 0)
First five-eighth
Beauden Barrett (33 / Blues / Taranaki / 123)
Damian McKenzie (29 / Chiefs / Waikato / 47)
Midfielders
Jordie Barrett (27 / Hurricanes / Taranaki / 57) (Vice Captain)
Rieko Ioane (27 / Blues / Auckland / 67)
Anton Lienert-Brown (29 / Chiefs / Waikato / 70)
Billy Proctor* (25 / Hurricanes / Wellington / 0)
Outer backs
Caleb Clarke (25 / Blues / Auckland / 20)
Emoni Narawa (24 / Chiefs / Bay of Plenty / 1)
Stephen Perofeta (27 / Blues / Taranaki / 3)
Sevu Reece (27 / Crusaders / Southland / 23)
Mark Tele’a (27 / Blues / North Harbour/ 9)
[* denotes new cap]
The following players were ruled out due to injury: Sam Cane, Will Jordan, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Cam Roigard.
Steinlager Ultra Low Carb 2024 Series
Saturday, July 6
All Blacks vs England, 19.05 (NZST), Forsyth Barr Stadium, DUNEDIN
Saturday, July 13
All Blacks vs England, 19.05 (NZST), Eden Park, AUCKLAND
Saturday, July 20
All Blacks vs Fiji, 2.30pm (NZST), SnapDragon Stadium, SAN DIEGO