Fresh Faces and a New Era: Dave Rennie Names His First All Blacks Squad

A new chapter in All Blacks history began on 22 June, when head coach Dave Rennie named his first squad, 34 players for the inaugural Nations Championship Southern Series against France, Italy and Ireland.

There is plenty for young fans to get excited about. Four uncapped players earned their first call-ups: Hurricanes pair Xavier Numia and Josh Moorby, Blues loose forward Anton Segner, and Hurricanes wing Fehi Fineanganofo, as RNZ reported. Ardie Savea takes over the captaincy, with regular skipper Scott Barrett sidelined by a back injury.

Rennie revealed the squad alongside fellow selector Sir Graham Henry and senior assistant coach Neil Barnes, according to allblacks.com, and said he wanted players who could handle test footy while playing with "optimism and brutality".

Savea's message will resonate with rugby communities everywhere. "A united All Blacks team has the power to unite a nation," he said, via allblacks.com. "And we are going to need all five million Kiwis to get in behind us."

One selection stood out. Fineanganofo has signed with English club Newcastle, but Rennie made an exception to pick him while he remains in New Zealand. "His form has been irresistible, and we're keen to name him," the coach explained, as Planet Rugby's Jared Wright reported. "He's contracted here until November."

There were tough calls too. Experienced midfielder-turned-wing Rieko Ioane, back from his sabbatical with Leinster, misses out for now, as Wright noted, though with nearly a decade of test rugby behind him, few would bet against a return. Chiefs lock cover Jamie Hannah joins the group temporarily while Tupou Vaa'i recovers from injury.

Stuff's squad coverage highlighted the blend of trusted names, Beauden and Jordie Barrett, Will Jordan, Codie Taylor, alongside the exciting newcomers.

The new era kicks off in Christchurch against France on 4 July, before Italy in Wellington on 11 July and Ireland at Eden Park on 18 July.

The squad: Hookers: Asafo Aumua, Samisoni Taukei'aho, Codie Taylor. Props: George Bower, Ethan de Groot, Tyrel Lomax, Fletcher Newell, Xavier Numia, Pasilio Tosi. Locks: Sam Darry, Josh Lord, Patrick Tuipulotu, Tupou Vaa'i. Loose forwards: Luke Jacobson, Peter Lakai, Simon Parker, Ardie Savea (c), Anton Segner, Wallace Sititi. Halfbacks: Kyle Preston, Cortez Ratima, Cam Roigard. First-fives: Beauden Barrett, Ruben Love, Damian McKenzie. Midfield: Jordie Barrett, Anton Lienert-Brown, Billy Proctor, Quinn Tupaea. Outside backs: Leroy Carter, Caleb Clarke, Fehi Fineanganofo, Will Jordan, Josh Moorby.