NEW ZEALAND COACH Steve Hansen has named a formidable touring squad for a four-Test spin through Asia and Europe.
Richie McCaw captains a 36-man squad that has four new caps and a host of World Cup winners. Outhalf Dan Carter is also included, despite his injury-hit year, as is Julian Savea, scorer of a phenomenal hat-trick against Ireland on his debut last year.
The All Blacks are currently 10 wins from 10 in 2013, having dismissed challenges from France, Australia, South Africa and Argentina. They play Japan in Tokyo on 2 November before facing France and England. Last but not least are Ireland at Lansdowne Road on 24 November.
Ireland’s challenge may well be the the final chicane on the AB’s lap of honour after another trophy-laden season. Hansen argues that his team will take nothing for granted.
“I don’t think we’ve get any right to go around thumping our chests saying that we’re unbeatable,” he said. “We’ll get our feet back on the ground and stay humble and keep working hard. We realise that if we don’t, then others will come past us. That’s not what we want.”
A smaller squad, unlikely to feature McCaw and Carter, will travel to Tokyo to take on Japan while the heavy-hitters set up camp in Paris ahead of the French Test.
The four new players include Canterbury Crusaders backrower Luke Whitelock — the third member of his family to make the All Blacks behind senior lock Sam Whitelock and one-Test flanker George. The other new faces are prop Joe Moody and lock Dominic Bird from the Crusaders and Auckland Blues wing Frank Halai.
Ben Smith, who has scored 10 tries in his last nine matches, is included in an impressive backs division that also includes Israel Dagg, Cory Jane and Aaron Smith. Ireland, lest we forget, has never beaten New Zealand in Test match rugby.
All Blacks
Forwards: Dane Coles (Wellington Hurricanes), Andrew Hore (Otago Highlanders), Keven Mealamu (Auckland Blues), Wyatt Crockett (Canterbury Crusaders), Charlie Faumuina (Blues), Ben Franks (Hurricanes), Owen Franks (Crusaders), Joe Moody (Crusaders), Tony Woodcock (Highlanders), Dominic Bird (Crusaders), Brodie Retallick (Chiefs), Luke Romano (Crusaders), Jeremy Thrush (Hurricanes), Sam Whitelock (Crusaders), Sam Cane (Chiefs), Steven Luatua (Blues), Richie McCaw (captain, Crusaders), Liam Messam (Chiefs), Kieran Read (Crusaders), Luke Whitelock (Crusaders).
Backs: Tawera Kerr-Barlow (Chiefs), TJ Perenara (Hurricanes), Aaron Smith (Highlanders), Dan Carter (Crusaders) Aaron Cruden (Chiefs) Beauden Barrett (Hurricanes), Tom Taylor (Crusaders), Ryan Crotty (Crusaders), Ma’a Nonu (Highlanders), Francis Saili (Blues), Israel Dagg (Crusaders), Frank Halai (Blues), Cory Jane (Hurricanes), Charles Piutau (Blues), Julian Savea (Hurricanes), Ben Smith (Highlanders).
