The 29-strong squad was jointly selected by the All Blacks and All Blacks XV coaching groups with the process led by respective Head Coaches Scott Robertson and Clayton McMillan.
The All Blacks XV squad is: (Age / DHL Super Rugby Pacific club / Province)
*denotes All Blacks cap
Forwards (17)
Props
Xavier Numia (25 / Hurricanes / Wellington)
George Dyer (24/ Chiefs / Waikato)
Saula Ma’u (24 / Highlanders / Otago)
Marcel Renata (30 / Blues / Auckland)
George Bower (32 / Crusaders / Otago)*
Hookers
Brodie McAlister (27 / Crusaders / Canterbury)
Kurt Eklund (32 / Blues / Bay of Plenty)
Bradley Slater (26 / Chiefs / Taranaki)
Locks
Josh Lord (23 / Chiefs / Taranaki)*
Fabian Holland (21 / Highlanders / Otago)
Isaia Walker-Leawere (27 / Hurricanes / Hawke’s Bay)
Naitoa Ah Kuoi (25 / Chiefs / Bay of Plenty)
Loose Forwards
Du’Plessis Kirifi (27 / Hurricanes / Wellington)
Peter Lakai (21/ Hurricanes / Wellington)
Hoskins Sotutu (26 / Blues / Counties Manukau)*
Oliver Haig (22 / Highlanders / Otago)
Christian Lio-Willie (26 / Crusaders / Otago)
Backs (12)
Halfbacks
Noah Hotham (21 / Crusaders / Tasman)*
Finlay Christie (29 / Blues / Tasman)*
First five-eighths
Harry Plummer (26 / Blues / Auckland)*
Josh Jacomb (23 / Chiefs / Taranaki)
Mid-fielders
Quinn Tupaea (25 / Chiefs / Waikato)*
Riley Higgins (22 / Hurricanes / Wellington)
AJ Lam (26 / Blues / Auckland)
Dallas McLeod (25 / Crusaders / Canterbury)*
Outside Backs
Kiniviliame Naholo (25 / Hurricanes / Taranaki)
Emoni Narawa (25 / Chiefs / Bay of Plenty)*
Chay Fihaki (23 / Crusaders / Canterbury)
Shaun Stevenson (27 / Chiefs / North Harbour)*
Clayton McMillan is Head Coach of the All Blacks XV, alongside Assistant Coaches Cory Jane, Jamie Mackintosh and David Hill.
McMillan, who was in camp with the All Blacks ahead of their test in Wellington last month, is excited by the squad selected and is looking forward to the opportunity to showcase the skills of the team internationally.
“Congratulations to those selected, this is a special moment for the players and their whanau to represent their country.
“Every player will be looking to put their best foot forward in what will be two intense matches up north, in front of passionate fans. It’s great to have a mix of experience and emerging talent, with players rewarded for solid Super Rugby Pacific and provincial seasons.”
Scott Robertson All Blacks Head Coach and All Blacks XV selector said, “I am really pleased with the mix of this squad, having players with All Blacks experience alongside emerging talent is important.
“As an All Black coaching group, we are excited to see these players perform in a Northern Hemisphere environment, to test themselves against different playing styles and build cohesion quickly within the team. With both teams in the Northern Hemisphere at the same time, it’s a great chance for the talent who have worked so hard to be given this opportunity to gain experience and express themselves on the international stage.”
A small number of players from the All Blacks XV squad will travel early to Japan with the All Blacks to help with their preparation and gain additional experience in the All Blacks environment, before joining up with the All Blacks XV squad to play Munster and Georgia in November.
The All Blacks XV squad will depart for Ireland on 26 (non-NPC finalists) and 27 October (NPC finalists) and the fixtures are as follows:
Sunday 3 November – All Blacks XV v Munster, 6.30AM NZDT, Thomond Park Limerick, Ireland
Monday 11 November – All Blacks XV v Georgia, 2.00AM NZDT, GGL Stadium, Montpellier, France
Both matches will be available live on Sky Sport in New Zealand. Internationally, the All Blacks XV v Munster match is available to stream live and free on NZR+ in over 150 countries (excluding NZ, Ireland and the UK) and the All Blacks XV v Georgia is available to stream live and free on NZR+ in over 150 countries (excluding NZ and Georgia).
About the All Blacks XV
The All Blacks XV was launched as NZR’s next senior national men’s representative team after the All Blacks, as a critical high-performance pathway to the All Blacks. As the next senior national representative side, the All Blacks XV will have the same high expectations as the other Teams in Black.
The All Blacks XV follows in the footsteps of similar teams which have assembled throughout New Zealand rugby's history, including the Junior All Blacks, New Zealand A and Emerging Players.