Patrick Tuipulotu to lead All Blacks XV squad

New Zealand Rugby has unveiled ta 28-member squad for the All Blacks XV for matches against Ireland A and Barbarians next month.

Patrick Tuipulotu will be captaining the side and he will be joined by seven other players with Test experience including Aidan Ross, Angus Ta’avao, Asafo Aumua, Luke Jacobson, TJ Perenara, Brad Weber, and Damian McKenzie.

The side was selected by All Blacks coach Ian Foster, Joe Schmidt and Jason Ryan.

All Blacks XV head coach Leon MacDonald believes the two games will provide excellent opportunity for the players to add depth to the World Cup squad next year.

“We are expecting an intense challenge from both Ireland A and the Barbarians. These two fixtures will allow players to showcase what they have and put their best foot forward on an international stage," said MacDonald.

“The selection panel have named a dynamic All Blacks XV squad, with eight capped All Blacks who know how to perform at this level and emerging talent.

"To play at international level is extremely valuable for the players and I am looking forward to guiding the team in what will be a first for the All Blacks XV.”

Meanwhile, New Zealand head coach Foster is excited to see the players showcase their talent on a different environment.

“The squad has a mixture of some experienced players and some younger talent coming through that we, as a group of All Blacks, are really keen to see how they progress in a Northern Hemisphere environment."

The All Blacks XV will be facing Ireland A first at RDS Arena in Dublin on 5th November before locking horns with Barbarians on 14th November at at Tottenham Stadium.

All Blacks XV squad:

Forwards

Props

Finlay Brewis (22, Crusaders / Canterbury)
Oli Jager (27, Crusaders / Canterbury)
Aidan Ross (26, Chiefs / Bay of Plenty)
Angus Ta'avao (32, Chiefs / Auckland)
Tamaiti Williams (22, Crusaders / Canterbury)

Hookers

Asafo Aumua (25, Hurricanes / Wellington)
George Bell (20, Crusaders / Canterbury)
Brodie McAlister (25, Crusaders / Canterbury)

Locks

Josh Dickson (27, Highlanders / Otago)
Zach Gallagher (21, Crusaders / Canterbury)
Patrick Tuipulotu - Captain (29, Blues / Auckland)

Loose Forwards

Dominic Gardiner (21, Crusaders / Canterbury)
Billy Harmon (27, Highlanders / Canterbury)
Luke Jacobson (25, Chiefs / Waikato)
Christian Lio-Willie (24, Crusaders / Otago)
Marino Mikaele-Tu'u (24, Highlanders, Hawkes Bay)

Backs

Halfbacks

TJ Perenara (30, Hurricanes / Wellington)
Brad Weber (31, Chiefs / Hawke's Bay)
Cam Roigard (21, Hurricanes / Counties Manukau)

First five-eighths

Bryn Gatland (27, Chiefs / North Harbour)
Damian McKenzie (27, Chiefs / Waikato)

Midfielders

Levi Aumua (28, Moana Pasifika / Tasman)
Bryce Heem (33, Blues / Auckland)
Alex Nankivell (26, Chiefs / Tasman)
Bailyn Sullivan (24, Hurricanes / Waikato)

Outside backs

AJ Lam (24, Blues / Auckland)
Ruben Love (21, Hurricanes / Wellington)
Mark Telea (25, Blues / North Harbour)