All Blacks XV name squad for Munster and Georgia tour

The All Blacks XV have announced their 29-player squad for the upcoming matches against Munster and Georgia, featuring 10 capped All Blacks as part of their northern tour.

The squad blends youth and experience, with standout performers and emerging talent set to make an impact.

Blues loose forward Hoskins Sotutu, who was overlooked for the All Blacks’ Rugby Championship and northern tour squads, has been included in the All Blacks XV.

Chiefs stars Shaun Stevenson and Emoni Narawa, also absent from the main All Blacks squad this year, will have a chance to showcase their skills and potentially re-enter the top-tier setup.

Hurricanes rising star Peter Lakai and six-Test lock Josh Lord are among the notable inclusions, highlighting a strategic mix of youth and experience in the forward pack.

However, Taranaki and Blues hooker Ricky Riccitelli, a key contributor during the Blues’ title-winning Super Rugby Pacific campaign, was a surprising omission.

Some players from the All Blacks XV squad will initially travel to Japan with the main All Blacks side to gain additional test-level experience before joining the All Blacks XV for the matches against Munster and Georgia in November.

The squad was selected through a collaborative process led by All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson and All Blacks XV head coach Clayton McMillan, along with assistants Cory Jane, Jamie Mackintosh, and David Hill.

The All Blacks XV will depart for Ireland on October 26 for non-NPC finalists and on October 27 for NPC finalists, as they gear up for a challenging northern tour aimed at further developing depth and talent within New Zealand rugby.

All Blacks XV squad:

Forwards: Xavier Numia, George Dyer, Saula Ma’u, Marcel Renata, George Bower*, Brodie McAlister, Kurt Eklund, Bradley Slater, Josh Lord*, Fabian Holland, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Peter Lakai, Hoskins Sotutu*, Oliver Haig, Christian Lio-Willie

Backs: Noah Hotham*, Finlay Christie*, Harry Plummer*, Josh Jacomb, Quinn Tupaea*, Riley Higgins, AJ Lam, Dallas McLeod*, Kiniviliame Naholo, Emoni Narawa*, Chay Fihaki, Shaun Stevenson*