Cam Roigard returns for All Blacks' northern hemisphere tour

All Blacks have announced their squad for challenging northern tour featuring Tests against Japan, England, Ireland, France, and Italy

The All Blacks have named their 36-man squad for their upcoming northern hemisphere tour, which includes the return of star halfback Cam Roigard after a lengthy injury layoff.

Roigard, who had been sidelined since March with a knee injury, made a strong comeback over the weekend for Counties Manukau in New Zealand’s National Provincial Championship, scoring two tries off the bench.

Head coach Scott Robertson has wasted no time in bringing Roigard back into the fold as the All Blacks prepare for a demanding series of matches against some of the world's top teams.

The squad will face Eddie Jones’ Japan in Yokohama on October 26, followed by fifth-ranked England at Twickenham on November 3. The All Blacks will then take on world number one Ireland in Dublin on November 9, fourth-ranked France in Paris on November 17, and conclude their tour against Italy in Turin on November 24.

Roigard replaces young Crusaders scrumhalf Noah Hotham, who will now be named in an All Blacks XV squad set to play in the Northern Hemisphere. The All Blacks XV, coached by Clayton McMillan, will face Munster in Limerick on November 2 and Georgia in Montpellier on November 10.

Robertson's decision to include Roigard in the squad maintains consistency, while giving opportunities for newer talents like Cortez Ratima and T.J. Perenara to solidify their roles. Perenara, along with backrower Sam Cane, will both end their All Blacks careers at the conclusion of the season to pursue overseas contracts.

“This Northern Tour is an exciting challenge, which will allow us to continue evolving our game and building a style of rugby that creates opportunities against some fierce competition,” Robertson stated.

"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."

New Zealand squad:

Forwards: Asafo Aumua, Codie Taylor, George Bell, Ethan De Groot, Tyrel Lomax, Fletcher Newell, Pasilio Tosi, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Tamaiti Williams, Scott Barrett (captain), Tupou Vaa'i, Patrick Tuipulotu, Sam Darry, Ethan Blackadder, Sam Cane, Samipeni Finau, Luke Jacobson, Dalton Papali'i, Ardie Savea, Wallace Sititi.

Backs: TJ Perenara, Cortez Ratima, Cam Roigard, Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie, Jordie Barrett, David Havili, Rieko Ioane, Anton Lienert-Brown, Billy Proctor, Caleb Clarke, Will Jordan, Ruben Love, Stephen Perofeta, Sevu Reece, Mark Tele'a.