June 21, 2021 • 14 mins
All Blacks selectors have battled depth and injury concerns to choose their 36-man squad for the upcoming tests against Tonga and Fiji.
Among the group include new caps Ethan de Groot, George Bower, Ethan Blackadder, Finlay Christie and Quinn Tupaea.
David Havili's back in the squad for the first time in early four years, while Angus Ta'avao, Luke Jacobson and Braydon Ennor all return after absences.
Selector Grant Fox told Elliott Smith the level of talent in New Zealand mixed in with injuries made for a tricky team naming.
"We're challenged in some areas, particularly in the midfield, that was probably the biggest area of decision. That went right to the weekend to finally make a decision on where we're heading there."
Beauden Barrett, who's recently come back from Japan, and Brodie Retallick, who hasn't played for the All Blacks since the 2019 World Cup, have been included.
Anton Lienert-Brown is one of the lucky 36 depsite recently having surgery on his elbow.
LISTEN ABOVE
Among the group include new caps Ethan de Groot, George Bower, Ethan Blackadder, Finlay Christie and Quinn Tupaea.
David Havili's back in the squad for the first time in early four years, while Angus Ta'avao, Luke Jacobson and Braydon Ennor all return after absences.
Selector Grant Fox told Elliott Smith the level of talent in New Zealand mixed in with injuries made for a tricky team naming.
"We're challenged in some areas, particularly in the midfield, that was probably the biggest area of decision. That went right to the weekend to finally make a decision on where we're heading there."
Beauden Barrett, who's recently come back from Japan, and Brodie Retallick, who hasn't played for the All Blacks since the 2019 World Cup, have been included.
Anton Lienert-Brown is one of the lucky 36 depsite recently having surgery on his elbow.
LISTEN ABOVE
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Popular Podcasts
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations.
The Nikki Glaser Podcast
Every week comedian and infamous roaster Nikki Glaser provides a fun, fast-paced, and brutally honest look into current pop-culture and her own personal life.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.