All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has named his squad for the End of Year Tour to Europe, including 3 Barrett brothers while also recalling scrumhalf Aaron Smith.
While Beauden Barrett continues his rich vein of form, both his brothers are set to join him on the plane to Europe as both Scott Barrett and Jordie Barrett have been named in the tour party. Scott will travel as injury cover for Sam Whitelock, who injured himself against the Wallabies on Saturday, while 19 year old Jordie will travel as an apprentice.
The apprentice role was filled by Ardie Savea a few years ago, allowing future All Blacks the opportunity to tour and experience the rigours of life as an International. This year, Jordie will travel with the team to get the hang of things.
There are also two debutants in the squad, Highlanders hooker Liam Coltman and Rieko Ioane, who has impresses during his time with the Sevens squad.
There are a few missing names due to injury : Sonny Bill Williams and Nehe Milner-Skudder being the big names only back in action in 2017.
New Zealand squad:
Hookers: Dane Coles, Codie Taylor, Liam Coltman
Props: Wyatt Crockett, Charlie Faumuina, Owen Franks, Joe Moody, Ofa Tu’ungafasi
Locks: Brodie Retallick, Luke Romano, Patrick Tuipulotu, Samuel Whitelock
Loose forwards: Sam Cane, Elliot Dixon, Jerome Kaino, Steven Luatua, Kieran Read (captain), Ardie Savea, Liam Squire, Matt Todd
Scrumhalves: Tawera Kerr-Barlow, T.J. Perenara, Aaron Smith
Flyhalves: Beauden Barrett, Aaron Cruden, Lima Sopoaga
Centres: Ryan Crotty, Malakai Fekitoa, Anton Lienert-Brown, George Moala
Outside backs: Israel Dagg, Rieko Ioane, Damian McKenzie, Waisake Naholo, Julian Savea, Ben Smith.
Note: Scott Barrett will travel as injury cover for Whitelock and Jordie Barrett has been named as an apprentice.
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More Barretts? Is this some sort of karmic payback for the sins of the other first-tier nations?
Sacrifice your virgins already so we can get back to a competitive rugby landscape.
Beaudon Barratt was very average on Saturday. All Blacks were starved on the ball and his kicking is very average so had no impact. Having said that i do rate Scott Barratt at lock- think he is better than Romano
I really think this apprentice thing is a good idea..
Between the Barrett’s and the Savea’s they’re keeping it in the family!!!
@JD (Comment 4) :
And the Whitelocks
@vanmartin (Comment 1) : There are actually seven of them in the family – fortunately for the Boks three of them are girls 🙄
@SheldonK (Comment 2) : He does enjoy torturing the Boks though
@Bokhoring (Comment 6) : Yeh because we choose to stand back and wait to make the tackle. Its like standing still and trying to catch a chicken on the run…good luck
@Bokhoring (Comment 6) : Sorry 8 siblings
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 5) : ja forgot about them!!!
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 5) : And the Franks.
@Hulk (Comment 10) : All Blacks really making rugby a family thing!!!