June 23, 2025 • 9 mins
The first All Blacks squad of the year includes five uncapped players.
Highlanders utility Timoci Tavatavanawai is the only new back - while Hurricanes flanker Du'Plessis Kirifi, Highlanders lock Fabian Holland and Chiefs front-rowers Ollie Norris and Brodie McAlister are the quartet of forwards named for next month's home series against France.
All Blacks assistant coach Jase Ryan joined Piney to discuss.
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Dancy Wildergrave
from News Talk zed B.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
The first All Black Squad of the Year has been named.
It was read out about seven hours ago at the
Coastal Rugby Club in New Plymouth by New Zealand Rugby
board chair and former World Cup winning All Blacks captain David.
Speaker 3 (00:22):
Kirk Bodin, Barrett Jordi, Barrett Scott, Barrett Caleb Clark, Ethan d'grut,
Semmapenny Finale, Fabian Holland, Noah Hotham, Rico, Joannie Luke, Jacobson,
will Jordan, Duplessy, Kiddifie, Anton, Lennart Brown, Tyrrel Lomax, Reuben Love,
(00:42):
Brody McAllister, Damien McKenzie, Fletcher Newell, Ollie Norris, Billy Proctor, Cortez,
Ratima Sevu, Rehys, Cameron, royguard Ardi, Savia Wallace, c Tit,
Sammy Sawneye, Toki a Hal, Timothy Tava, Tava Nahwai, Cody Taylor, Parsi,
Leor Tocy, Patrick two Wee Plot, Quinn Tupaia Tupomitty.
Speaker 2 (01:07):
Williams, those other thirty three players five uncapped players in
that thirty three man squad Chiefs front Rothers, Ollie Norris
and Brody McAllister, Highlanders Locke Fabian Holland, Hurricanes flanker Dupla
Skaife and Highlander's utility Timothy Tavatava Naway all named for
the first time. Uncapped Crusaders loose forward Christian Leo Willi
(01:28):
is named as injury cover for Chiefs captain Luke Jacobson
utility back, and mony Nuadada Nudawah rather will cover injured
Chiefs teammate Anton Lennett Brown. Among the notable names not
included are the Super Rugby winning Crusaders duo of midfielder
David Harveli and flanker Ethan Blackadder. Also no room for
departing nineteen Test winger Mark Telaya or his Blues teammate
(01:52):
thirty six Test loose forward Dalton Papaale. All Black's assistant
coach Jason Ryan joins us on Sports Talk. Thanks for
your time, Jason. Congratulations to you and the coaching group
on unveiling your first all Black squad of the year
in general terms, First of all, how happy are you
with the squad that you have assembled?
Speaker 4 (02:12):
Yeah? Thanks for that.
Speaker 5 (02:13):
Look, it's an absolute privilege to name an All Black team,
and we've got there after a number of robust conversations
and a lot of due diligence and around players and
their their craft and also characters. So we're really excited
by the squad we've got with believe it's got a
good balance across the board, power, acceleration, experience and youth.
Speaker 2 (02:35):
Over what positions did you have the most robust discussions?
Speaker 4 (02:40):
I think the loose forwards.
Speaker 5 (02:42):
You know, when you look at traditional All Black teams
that have been announced, that's always a tasty one around
a how many what is the combination and who are
the you know, who's got the point of difference and
skill sets that are required.
Speaker 4 (02:57):
So there was healthy right to the end.
Speaker 2 (02:59):
Hurricanes Lucy do plus Ekilefi is there in a very
competitive position. What gave him the edge?
Speaker 4 (03:06):
He's earned the right? I think it's a real success
story for Dups.
Speaker 5 (03:09):
I think he first came into the All Blacks in
twenty twenty and where he is now around his game
and himself as a man, I think is a real
credit to him. He's stuck at it. He's stuck at it.
He's been probably one that's been talked about for a
few years and this year he's completely earned the right
and I think it's a real credit to him. He's,
you know, he's led the Lions Wellington and also the
(03:32):
Hurricanes and it's brought the best out of him. So
it's our job to get him to the next level
and Test level, but we think it'd be pretty seamless
for him.
Speaker 2 (03:38):
I can ask you about the other debutantes in the forwards,
Jase Chiefs front rowers Ollie Norris and Brody McAllister earned
call ups. What have you seen in them?
Speaker 4 (03:47):
Ollie Norris been really consistent for his whole season.
Speaker 5 (03:50):
He's he's a big ball carrier, very accurate defender and
it's a chance chance for us to have a look
at a younger Loo said in this series against the French.
So I think he's you know, he's learning his craft
too and he's a big body who's an excluis forward,
so it gives us my mobility around the park. Brody's
(04:11):
really earned it. He's he's a big scrummacher. He's he
was in the All Black fifteen last year. He came
in and trained with us when we're in Ireland. So
We've got a good look at him at this level
and we believe he's ready as well, and purely just
because he's been consistent for a whole season. I know
that sometimes semis and finals when we're selecting teams do
(04:31):
have something to do as well, but we believe he's
really earned the right.
Speaker 2 (04:34):
Brady and Highland Is lock Fabian Holland is in the
squad for the first time, big lump of a lad.
What are your hopes for him?
Speaker 4 (04:42):
Oh?
Speaker 5 (04:42):
Mate, he's he's he's going to be special. I think
he's I love the way he competes. He loves being
in the contest with the ball, all without the ball.
He's always there. You know the Highland Is he was
a big part of them and he is probably one
of the most consistent and dominant lock forwards in the
competition all year.
Speaker 2 (05:00):
You mentioned due diligence before, Jase. You know, we can
all see a player in the eighty minutes on the
grass and what they bring. What does that Due diligence
regarding character and readiness for an all Black jersey consist
of when you're doing when you're doing those background checks,
if you.
Speaker 5 (05:15):
Like, yeah, look, we're going to trust our eye as coaches,
and we've got to you've got to you've got to
trust your gut feeld on a few things as well.
But I guess in my area I've probably said this
a few times, but I really value the relationship I've
got with the Fords coaches and the Super Rugby franchises.
They have the boys a lot longer than I do.
So we're going to make sure that you know where
(05:37):
are they mentally and and and what maybe puts them
under pressure and how do they handle it. So that's
sort of homework off fields probably more important than the
off field, so that they can come in and be
ready for test rugby, you know, and and enjoy it.
Speaker 2 (05:52):
How difficult are the conversations with the players who are
close but have just missed out. Look at a guy
like Ethan Blackadder, who you know, we all saw what
he can do on Saturday night in christ How challenging
are those conversations.
Speaker 5 (06:04):
Although you know they're not not us, and and you
know the boss makes those the big calls to them individually.
And then we put together a bit of a care
package as selectors with me and Scotty and the rest
of the coaches, and we will give them stuff to
work on.
Speaker 4 (06:18):
And you know.
Speaker 5 (06:20):
Hard conversations don't need to be hard conversations if you're
just really honest with them, and you know, some of
them were connected during the year. And it's all about
picking the best team and the best all black team,
and it shouldn't be easy, and it's.
Speaker 2 (06:33):
Not bet which number are we most likely to see
Ardie Savia where this year?
Speaker 5 (06:39):
I think he's proven himself as pretty phenomenal seven, hasn't he?
So what what that combination looks like with him and
our ates and and his obviously is versatilely to see
as versatilely the cover eight and seven is a good one. Look,
what is the number one position that we're thinking at
the moment when we get our line out together and
(06:59):
the boys all assembled and have a look at some combos,
we'll to answer that. But we're pretty clear and confident
that he can cover both.
Speaker 2 (07:07):
And presumably you'll have some loose board cover and the
locks as well. Scott Barrett, we know has played loose
forward to port Vai. Is he also, you know, a
loose forward cover type of player?
Speaker 5 (07:17):
Yeah, he is, And you're right, like both those locks
can cover six and both big men and are athletic troops.
Has played six for a number a couple of years
for the Chiefs early on, played there a little bit
school and you've got no doubt in that skill set.
So you know, you need you need to be able
to win the aerial battle at lineout time, and you
know Summer Penny Feenale is really good in that space
(07:38):
and we felt that, you know, he's got a little
bit of accuracy that will work on which which will
help him with and but yeah, he's been performed over
all pretty well. And you know he was in the
All Blacks last year. He had an exceptional week training
with us building up into the French game in Paris,
until he got knocked out in the early stages. So
you know, we believe he's still still deserves to stay
(08:00):
there and and get better.
Speaker 2 (08:02):
So how excited are you as a coaching group now
to get your hands on these Players' about to watch
a team of super rugby probably licking your lips. How
excited are you to get your hands on your players?
Speaker 4 (08:11):
Yeah, it's good, but it's just really important.
Speaker 5 (08:13):
It's a fine line between flooding with information and stuff
they don't really need.
Speaker 4 (08:18):
But we know they can play.
Speaker 5 (08:19):
We just got to keep them fresh and sharp, and
we've got to bring them together as a team, and
we've got to grow each other, grow our culture. You know,
We've got a pretty cool day lined up with our
leadership group when the boys assemble and understand what it
is to be an all Black and the standards that
are required to be an all Black, and then what
do we want to be as a team. So we'll
(08:39):
go through all that and first and once we identify that,
then we'll put a game together to have a credit.
Speaker 2 (08:46):
France can't wait just to finish Jase. I know you're
supposed to be neutral now, but how much did you
enjoy watching your old team wouldn't Super Rugby on Saturday
night in christ Jurch.
Speaker 4 (08:54):
I just enjoyed the contest.
Speaker 5 (08:55):
I think there's been some there's been some good contests
in the final series. I think the competition shifted from
the start of year where it was fast and hot
weather and warm and quick. But as we got close
to the end of the season, I think there's thirty
five scrumpenalties in the final series, so that's still going
to be a pretty critical part of our game to
(09:18):
get right.
Speaker 2 (09:20):
Congratulations again on the squad jas, thanks for chatting mate.
We'll see you in Dunedin.
Speaker 4 (09:23):
No worries thanks to the call, Chase, thank you for
taking it.
Speaker 2 (09:26):
Jason Jason Ryan their assistant coach of the All Blacks
of course, or one of here on Sports Talk.
Speaker 1 (09:31):
For more from Sports Talk, listen live to News Talks
it'd be from seven pm weekdays, or follow the podcast
on iHeartRadio
You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Dancy Wildergrave
from News Talk zed B.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
The first All Black Squad of the Year has been named.
It was read out about seven hours ago at the
Coastal Rugby Club in New Plymouth by New Zealand Rugby
board chair and former World Cup winning All Blacks captain David.
Speaker 3 (00:22):
Kirk Bodin, Barrett Jordi, Barrett Scott, Barrett Caleb Clark, Ethan d'grut,
Semmapenny Finale, Fabian Holland, Noah Hotham, Rico, Joannie Luke, Jacobson,
will Jordan, Duplessy, Kiddifie, Anton, Lennart Brown, Tyrrel Lomax, Reuben Love,
(00:42):
Brody McAllister, Damien McKenzie, Fletcher Newell, Ollie Norris, Billy Proctor, Cortez,
Ratima Sevu, Rehys, Cameron, royguard Ardi, Savia Wallace, c Tit,
Sammy Sawneye, Toki a Hal, Timothy Tava, Tava Nahwai, Cody Taylor, Parsi,
Leor Tocy, Patrick two Wee Plot, Quinn Tupaia Tupomitty.
Speaker 2 (01:07):
Williams, those other thirty three players five uncapped players in
that thirty three man squad Chiefs front Rothers, Ollie Norris
and Brody McAllister, Highlanders Locke Fabian Holland, Hurricanes flanker Dupla
Skaife and Highlander's utility Timothy Tavatava Naway all named for
the first time. Uncapped Crusaders loose forward Christian Leo Willi
(01:28):
is named as injury cover for Chiefs captain Luke Jacobson
utility back, and mony Nuadada Nudawah rather will cover injured
Chiefs teammate Anton Lennett Brown. Among the notable names not
included are the Super Rugby winning Crusaders duo of midfielder
David Harveli and flanker Ethan Blackadder. Also no room for
departing nineteen Test winger Mark Telaya or his Blues teammate
(01:52):
thirty six Test loose forward Dalton Papaale. All Black's assistant
coach Jason Ryan joins us on Sports Talk. Thanks for
your time, Jason. Congratulations to you and the coaching group
on unveiling your first all Black squad of the year
in general terms, First of all, how happy are you
with the squad that you have assembled?
Speaker 4 (02:12):
Yeah? Thanks for that.
Speaker 5 (02:13):
Look, it's an absolute privilege to name an All Black team,
and we've got there after a number of robust conversations
and a lot of due diligence and around players and
their their craft and also characters. So we're really excited
by the squad we've got with believe it's got a
good balance across the board, power, acceleration, experience and youth.
Speaker 2 (02:35):
Over what positions did you have the most robust discussions?
Speaker 4 (02:40):
I think the loose forwards.
Speaker 5 (02:42):
You know, when you look at traditional All Black teams
that have been announced, that's always a tasty one around
a how many what is the combination and who are
the you know, who's got the point of difference and
skill sets that are required.
Speaker 4 (02:57):
So there was healthy right to the end.
Speaker 2 (02:59):
Hurricanes Lucy do plus Ekilefi is there in a very
competitive position. What gave him the edge?
Speaker 4 (03:06):
He's earned the right? I think it's a real success
story for Dups.
Speaker 5 (03:09):
I think he first came into the All Blacks in
twenty twenty and where he is now around his game
and himself as a man, I think is a real
credit to him. He's stuck at it. He's stuck at it.
He's been probably one that's been talked about for a
few years and this year he's completely earned the right
and I think it's a real credit to him. He's,
you know, he's led the Lions Wellington and also the
(03:32):
Hurricanes and it's brought the best out of him. So
it's our job to get him to the next level
and Test level, but we think it'd be pretty seamless
for him.
Speaker 2 (03:38):
I can ask you about the other debutantes in the forwards,
Jase Chiefs front rowers Ollie Norris and Brody McAllister earned
call ups. What have you seen in them?
Speaker 4 (03:47):
Ollie Norris been really consistent for his whole season.
Speaker 5 (03:50):
He's he's a big ball carrier, very accurate defender and
it's a chance chance for us to have a look
at a younger Loo said in this series against the French.
So I think he's you know, he's learning his craft
too and he's a big body who's an excluis forward,
so it gives us my mobility around the park. Brody's
(04:11):
really earned it. He's he's a big scrummacher. He's he
was in the All Black fifteen last year. He came
in and trained with us when we're in Ireland. So
We've got a good look at him at this level
and we believe he's ready as well, and purely just
because he's been consistent for a whole season. I know
that sometimes semis and finals when we're selecting teams do
(04:31):
have something to do as well, but we believe he's
really earned the right.
Speaker 2 (04:34):
Brady and Highland Is lock Fabian Holland is in the
squad for the first time, big lump of a lad.
What are your hopes for him?
Speaker 4 (04:42):
Oh?
Speaker 5 (04:42):
Mate, he's he's he's going to be special. I think
he's I love the way he competes. He loves being
in the contest with the ball, all without the ball.
He's always there. You know the Highland Is he was
a big part of them and he is probably one
of the most consistent and dominant lock forwards in the
competition all year.
Speaker 2 (05:00):
You mentioned due diligence before, Jase. You know, we can
all see a player in the eighty minutes on the
grass and what they bring. What does that Due diligence
regarding character and readiness for an all Black jersey consist
of when you're doing when you're doing those background checks,
if you.
Speaker 5 (05:15):
Like, yeah, look, we're going to trust our eye as coaches,
and we've got to you've got to you've got to
trust your gut feeld on a few things as well.
But I guess in my area I've probably said this
a few times, but I really value the relationship I've
got with the Fords coaches and the Super Rugby franchises.
They have the boys a lot longer than I do.
So we're going to make sure that you know where
(05:37):
are they mentally and and and what maybe puts them
under pressure and how do they handle it. So that's
sort of homework off fields probably more important than the
off field, so that they can come in and be
ready for test rugby, you know, and and enjoy it.
Speaker 2 (05:52):
How difficult are the conversations with the players who are
close but have just missed out. Look at a guy
like Ethan Blackadder, who you know, we all saw what
he can do on Saturday night in christ How challenging
are those conversations.
Speaker 5 (06:04):
Although you know they're not not us, and and you
know the boss makes those the big calls to them individually.
And then we put together a bit of a care
package as selectors with me and Scotty and the rest
of the coaches, and we will give them stuff to
work on.
Speaker 4 (06:18):
And you know.
Speaker 5 (06:20):
Hard conversations don't need to be hard conversations if you're
just really honest with them, and you know, some of
them were connected during the year. And it's all about
picking the best team and the best all black team,
and it shouldn't be easy, and it's.
Speaker 2 (06:33):
Not bet which number are we most likely to see
Ardie Savia where this year?
Speaker 5 (06:39):
I think he's proven himself as pretty phenomenal seven, hasn't he?
So what what that combination looks like with him and
our ates and and his obviously is versatilely to see
as versatilely the cover eight and seven is a good one. Look,
what is the number one position that we're thinking at
the moment when we get our line out together and
(06:59):
the boys all assembled and have a look at some combos,
we'll to answer that. But we're pretty clear and confident
that he can cover both.
Speaker 2 (07:07):
And presumably you'll have some loose board cover and the
locks as well. Scott Barrett, we know has played loose
forward to port Vai. Is he also, you know, a
loose forward cover type of player?
Speaker 5 (07:17):
Yeah, he is, And you're right, like both those locks
can cover six and both big men and are athletic troops.
Has played six for a number a couple of years
for the Chiefs early on, played there a little bit
school and you've got no doubt in that skill set.
So you know, you need you need to be able
to win the aerial battle at lineout time, and you
know Summer Penny Feenale is really good in that space
(07:38):
and we felt that, you know, he's got a little
bit of accuracy that will work on which which will
help him with and but yeah, he's been performed over
all pretty well. And you know he was in the
All Blacks last year. He had an exceptional week training
with us building up into the French game in Paris,
until he got knocked out in the early stages. So
you know, we believe he's still still deserves to stay
(08:00):
there and and get better.
Speaker 2 (08:02):
So how excited are you as a coaching group now
to get your hands on these Players' about to watch
a team of super rugby probably licking your lips. How
excited are you to get your hands on your players?
Speaker 4 (08:11):
Yeah, it's good, but it's just really important.
Speaker 5 (08:13):
It's a fine line between flooding with information and stuff
they don't really need.
Speaker 4 (08:18):
But we know they can play.
Speaker 5 (08:19):
We just got to keep them fresh and sharp, and
we've got to bring them together as a team, and
we've got to grow each other, grow our culture. You know,
We've got a pretty cool day lined up with our
leadership group when the boys assemble and understand what it
is to be an all Black and the standards that
are required to be an all Black, and then what
do we want to be as a team. So we'll
(08:39):
go through all that and first and once we identify that,
then we'll put a game together to have a credit.
Speaker 2 (08:46):
France can't wait just to finish Jase. I know you're
supposed to be neutral now, but how much did you
enjoy watching your old team wouldn't Super Rugby on Saturday
night in christ Jurch.
Speaker 4 (08:54):
I just enjoyed the contest.
Speaker 5 (08:55):
I think there's been some there's been some good contests
in the final series. I think the competition shifted from
the start of year where it was fast and hot
weather and warm and quick. But as we got close
to the end of the season, I think there's thirty
five scrumpenalties in the final series, so that's still going
to be a pretty critical part of our game to
(09:18):
get right.
Speaker 2 (09:20):
Congratulations again on the squad jas, thanks for chatting mate.
We'll see you in Dunedin.
Speaker 4 (09:23):
No worries thanks to the call, Chase, thank you for
taking it.
Speaker 2 (09:26):
Jason Jason Ryan their assistant coach of the All Blacks
of course, or one of here on Sports Talk.
Speaker 1 (09:31):
For more from Sports Talk, listen live to News Talks
it'd be from seven pm weekdays, or follow the podcast
on iHeartRadio
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