All Blacks name 34-man squad for Bledisloe Cup tests

What happened

All Blacks coach Dave Rennie has named a 34-man squad for the Bledisloe Cup tests against Australia in October, with significant changes forced by injuries from the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry tour. Captain Ardie Savea will have surgery on his dislocated shoulder with no return date confirmed, while midfielder Anton Lienert-Brown is out for up to six weeks with a knee injury. Other unavailable players include Luke Jacobson, Billy Proctor, Caleb Clarke, Ollie Norris, Ruben Love and Patrick Tuipulotu. In response, Rennie has recalled loose forward Shannon Frizell, who returns for his first test since the 2023 World Cup final after three years in Japan, and former captain lock Scott Barrett, who is back after back surgery and four months away from rugby. Hooker Codie Taylor will captain the squad in Savea's absence. The squad assembles in Auckland on Sunday for the first test at Eden Park on October 10, followed by the second test in Sydney a week later. Thirty-one players from the South Africa tour have been retained, and first-five Josh Jacomb, an uncapped player who debuted on the Greatest Rivalry tour, is included.

Key facts

• 34-man All Blacks squad named for Bledisloe Cup tests
• Captain Ardie Savea out with dislocated shoulder requiring surgery
• Scott Barrett and Shannon Frizell recalled to squad
• First test at Eden Park on Saturday 10 October
• Second test in Sydney a week later

What happens next

The All Blacks squad assembles in Auckland on Sunday ahead of the first Bledisloe Cup test at Eden Park on Saturday 10 October.

Primary source: All Blacks Bledisloe Cup squad announcement

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Coverage across the news outlets we track, as at publication.

Where the outlets differ

1News leads with Frizell's recall as the main talking point; Otago Daily Times emphasises both the Frizell return and the unexpected inclusion of uncapped Josh Jacomb; Stuff emphasises the depth of injuries and their impact on Rennie's task. Several outlets highlight the Ruben Love ankle injury as a significant blow, while 1News later reports Mo'unga and Fineanganofo as ruled out for the tests. The Otago Daily Times notes Jacomb as the only uncapped squad member, which other outlets do not stress.

What outlets are saying