SCRUM-HALF CAM Roigard has battled back from injury to make New Zealand’s tour squad for the Autumn Internationals, as part of a largely settled group which featured soon-to-retire veterans Sam Cane and TJ Perenara.
Rising talent Roigard, 23, was recalled to the All Blacks some six months after a severe knee injury derailed his Super Rugby campaign.
The three-Test rookie, included at the expense of fellow scrumhalf Noah Hotham, was the only tweak to a 36-man squad otherwise unchanged from the Rugby Championship.
Head coach Scott Robertson said Roigard had been in “great form” and selectors were “excited to have him back in the mix”.
Squad for the final tour of the year ☝🏼🔥 pic.twitter.com/SNB9ZmaIYN
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) October 7, 2024
Former captain Cane and stalwart scrumhalf Perenara were picked despite previously announcing they would retire from international rugby at the end of the year.
New Zealand play Ireland on Friday 8 November at the Aviva Stadium as part of their tour. Other fixtures see them face Japan on 26 October, England on 2 November, France on 16 November, and Italy on 23 November.
Robertson said it was crucial to have a balance between older heads and fresh talent.
“We have selected a squad that will bring consistency and continuity, while also achieving the right balance of giving newer talent the chance to develop within a team that has valuable experience against these northern hemisphere sides.”
A second-string All Blacks XV squad is due to be named later this week for games against Georgia and Munster.
New Zealand
Backs
Stephen Perofeta, Ruben Love, Will Jordan, Mark Tele’a, Caleb Clarke, Sevu Reece, Rieko Ioane, Billy Proctor, Anton Lienert-Brown, Jordie Barrett, David Havili, Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie, TJ Perenara, Cortez Ratima, Cam Roigard.
Forwards
Ardie Savea, Wallace Sititi, Dalton Papali’i, Sam Cane, Ethan Blackadder, Samipeni Finau, Luke Jacobson, Scott Barrett (captain), Tupou Vaa’i, Patrick Tuipulotu, Sam Darry, Tamaiti Williams, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Pasilio Tosi, Fletcher Newell, Tyrel Lomax, Ethan De Groot, Codie Taylor, Asafo Aumua, George Bell.
Cam Roigard back is really good news for NZ, now they just need Mu’unga !!., those new caps coming through are absolute class, Wallace sititi, Tamaiti williams . I think Ireland will be too strong for this Allblack side especially at home but this will be one tough tussle, the allblack pack is getting much better and there backline is simply class as always. going to be really interesting to see how NZ go in these internationals , how many wins will they get over ireland/france/England? very difficult to predict
@Stuart: Gotta fancy them for 4 out of 5 in the autumn. The big question is, which of England / Ireland / France will beat them? England have them after a long flight from Japan and might catch them cold. France have them after 4 games and they might start to tire. I think Ireland have the toughest test as NZ will be still fresh but also 3rd game in will be up to speed. It will be Ireland’s first game of the autumn and, whilst we haven’t lost an Autumn International in the Aviva since 2016, we do not always hit the ground running.
@Stuart: Never bet against the all blacks even if they are not the best side anymore
NZ continuing to stain their reputation by picking the likes of Reece.
They at least can’t select the creature Frizzell as well anymore I suppose.
50 50 game as allways
Nice to see them make Jordie vice captain. It’ll make him fit in well at Leinster
If porter and furlong get parity in the scrum Wel win by 10 to 12. If abs get scrum advantage could b a 3 point swing either way
I hadn’t realised the Munster AB game is on the same day as the England AB match which is pretty crap- it’ll still be on as the Munster match is starting, takes away from the occasion unfortunately
@baz: That’s a negative action regarding product value. I’d be very upset if I bought a ticket, and as a CEO, how does this maintain the history for Future Generations?
@baz: how can the AB be playing twice in a day mayby u mean the first team and second string
@Shawn: the team Munster are playing is an All Blacks XV. It’ll be a grade below the All Blacks A. Similar to the South Africa XV they played in 2022