Wellington (AFP)
Seven new ones appear in the New Zealand rugby squad, whose roster was disclosed on Sunday by new manager Ian Foster, who took over from Steve Hansen last December, ahead of the fall matches.
Among those seven players is Hoskins Sotutu, a powerful 22-year-old flanker.
His Fijian and English ancestry had made him a target for Fiji and England coaches Vern Cotter and Eddie Jones.
But the Auckland native chose the All Blacks.
He is part with mainstay Alex Hodgman, second row Tupou Vaa'i and Quinten Strange, third row Cullen Grace and winger Caleb Clarke and fullback / winger Will Jordan, newcomers.
These young players come to bring new blood to a team which notably disappeared, after the World Cup-2019, its captain and N. 8 Kieran Read, the back lines players Sonny Bill Williams, Ben Smith and Ryan Crotty, who hung up, and his second line Brodie Retallick who went into exile in the Japanese championship.
Three players reappear in this selection after several years of absence: hooker Asafo Aumua, third wing or center line Akira Ioane and pillar Karl Tu'inukuafe.
This selection is supposed to prepare the Rugby Championship.
Usually played during the austral winter (summer for the northern hemisphere) between the four major rugby nations of the southern hemisphere - New Zealand, South Africa, Australia and Argentina - this tournament has been postponed to November and December because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Argentina's presence in the Rugby Championship remains uncertain, six Pumas having tested positive for Covid-19 at the start of its preparation at the end of August.
Before this competition, the All Blacks also plan to play against a Pacific selection and against Australia, but these deadlines have not yet been confirmed.
The All Blacks team has not played again since November 1 and its victory against the Welsh for 3rd place in the World Cup-2019.
She had previously been beaten in the semi-finals by England.
List of 35 players making up the New Zealand squad:
Forwards (20): Asafo Aumua, Dane Coles, Codie Taylor, Alex Hodgman, Nepo Laulala, Tyrel Lomax, Joe Moody, Karl Tu'inukuafe, Ofa Tuungafasi, Quinten Strange, Patrick Tuipulotu, Tupou Vaa'i, Samuel Whitelock, Sam Cane (cap), Shannon Frizell, Cullen Grace, Akira Ioane, Dalton Papalii, Ardie Savea, Hoskins Sotutu.
Full-backs (15): TJ Perenara, Aaron Smith, Brad Weber, Beauden Barrett, Richie Mo'unga, Braydon Ennor, Jack Goodhue, Rieko Ioane, Anton Lienert-Brown, Jordie Barrett, George Bridge, Caleb Clarke, Will Jordan, Damian McKenzie , Sevu Reece.
© 2020 AFP