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.
Right now, I believe Jack Crowley is the best 10 by some margin. I have followed Sam Prendergast at U20 and now at Leinster. He is 21 and looks to have potential. Will be interesting to see how he plays against Australia. I don’t believe he was as good as people are saying against Figi but I guess we will see today how he’s developing? I do feel sorry for Ciaran Frawley who really proved his worth with two amazing drop goals v South Africa during the summer. That achievement surely proved his mentality. It’s all very interesting and as has been said, we are lucky to have all three of them. Tony
@Tony Murphy: Jack Crowley is absolutely the best, all round 10. 100%. And should start v England regardless how Sam goes today. But the margin is not huge and it is wonderful that they will push each other’s standards.
Crowley is growing into a great number 10. We as Ireland must be happy that we have 3 really promising young 10’s coming through. Look at all the big nations, France, Springbok’s, All Blacks – they all have 3 to 4 really good No. 10’s they can call on. Ireland as a top tier nation now has the same, so we must embrace it and enjoy the ride over the next 5 to 10 years what if our new talent at 10 getting better and better.
Has there ever been a player ( even from Leinster ) that has had such a clear and prepared path to a test jersey as SP without much evidence of deserving it?
Hope he is worth it. AF rolling the dice on this one. He plays the percentages normally – this is high risk for him.
@Adrian Breen: I think he’s doing as advised…. You’re right in saying it’s a big risk against an upcoming Aussie side…. SP wasn’t great against FIJI… but the fact is he plays with Leinster and is probably more familiar with the system of play then Jack is, but he’s not as clever I feel has lovely moves but from what I saw against FIJI he lost the the run of play on more than one occasion… all this will stand to him I hope and he comes out the better but I do feel we are putting a lot of expectations on him against a buzzing bunch of Aussies??
A lot of questions re selection will be answered today. Think Jack Crowley has handled situation well given that he was thrust before the media on Tuesday ( unfairly in my view and disappointed in AF , the lauded ” man manager” ).