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Will Jordan, Caleb Clarke and Hoskins Sotutu are three of seven unlimited players who have been included in the 35-man All Blacks team for the Rugby Championship.
Jordan, Clarke, and Sotutu are joined by fellow rookies Alex Hodgman, Quinten Strange, Tupou Vaa’i and Cullen Grace in coach Ian Foster’s star-studded group.
As previously confirmed, Sam Cane will be the captain of the squad that is made up of 20 forwards (three hookers, six pillars, four locks and seven loose forwards) and 15 backs (three halfbacks, two flyhalves, four centers and six outside). In addition, the group consists of 10 Blues players, six Chiefs, five Hurricanes, 11 Crusaders and three Highlanders,
Three players, prop Atu Moli, padlock Scott Barrett and center Ngani Laumape, were not considered due to injury, while veteran padlock Brodie Retallick was not in contention for the selection because he is currently on a sabbatical with the Kobe Kobelco Steelers in Japan.
In naming the team, All Blacks coach Ian Foster said: ‘We are very excited about the caliber of the players selected for this 2020 All Blacks team. It has been a great process working through the selections and I really enjoyed working with them. ‘Plums’ [John Plumtree] as part of the new group of selectors.
“The result is that we can now announce a team rich in experience and a bit battle-hardened after the Rugby World Cup, but looking to the future with the inclusion of several new players. We are delighted with the balance of the group and we look forward to meeting the challenges of 2020. ”
It remains to be seen if the revised Rugby Championship will go ahead or if the All Blacks will only be able to participate in a series of Bledisloe Cup matchups against Australia.
Squad of all Blacks:
Whores: Asafo Aumua, Dane Coles, Codie Taylor.
Accessories: Alex Hodgman *, Nepo Laulala, Tyrel Lomax, Joe Moody, Karl Tu’inukuafe, Ofa Tu’ungafasi.
Locks: Quinten Strange *, Patrick Tuipulotu, Tupou Vaa’i *, Samuel Whitelock.
Loose forwards: Sam Cane (C), Shannon Frizell, Cullen Grace * Akira Ioane, Dalton Papalii, Ardie Savea, Hoskins Sotutu *.
Halfbacks: TJ Perenara, Aaron Smith, Brad Weber.
First five: Beauden Barrett, Richie Mo’unga.
Midfield: Braydon Ennor, Jack Goodhue, Rieko Ioane, Anton Lienert-Brown.
Outer backs: Jordie Barrett, George Bridge, Caleb Clarke *, Will Jordan *, Damian McKenzie, Sevu Reece.
* Denotes player without cap
Photo: All Blacks / Twitter
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