Barrett brothers named in All Blacks squad

Three brothers have been named in an All Blacks squad for the first time ahead of the Test series against the British and Irish Lions.

New Zealand's Jordie Barrett

Three brothers have been named in an All Blacks squad for the first time. (AAP)

Injured All Blacks hooker Dane Coles has been named alongside three Barrett brothers in Steve Hansen's All Blacks squad for the three-Test series against the British and Irish Lions.

Captain Kieran Read and his fellow loose forwards Liam Squire and Jerome Kaino, who are all also recovering from injury, were all also included with Coles, who has barely played this season because of knee, calf injuries and concussion symptoms.

Uncapped fullback Jordie Barrett, five-eighth Beauden Barrett and lock Scott Barrett became the first trio of brothers to be named in the same All Blacks squad.

"This has been by far the toughest team that we've had to select for some time and some players who are in very good form missed out, and we always feel for them," Hansen told reporters in Auckland.

"But as is the nature of Test rugby I'm sure a number of them will get an opportunity, if not in this series, then throughout the season."

Hansen also selected the bullocking inside centre Ngani Laumape, who is also uncapped but has been in scintillating form for the Wellington Hurricanes this season.

"Obviously, it's a very special occasion for the Barrett and Laumape families, with Jordie and Ngani being selected for the first time," Hansen said.

"Jordie has been in outstanding form, he has a skillset which is complete and has a great running and kicking game.

"Ngani too has been impressive throughout the Super season and has forced his way in through commanding performances."

Prop Charlie Faumuina and five-eighth Aaron Cruden were included in the 33-man squad despite having signed with European clubs for next season, undoubtedly due to Hansen preferring to stick with players who have proved themselves at Test level.

All Blacks squad:

Backs: Ben Smith, Jordie Barrett, Israel Dagg, Waisake Naholo, Julian Savea, Rieko Ioane, Anton Lienert-Brown, Ryan Crotty, Sonny Bill Williams, Ngani Laumape, Beauden Barrett, Aaron Cruden, Lima Sopoaga, Aaron Smith, TJ Perenara, Tawera Kerr-Barlow.

Forwards: Kieran Read (capt), Sam Cane, Ardie Savea, Jerome Kaino, Liam Squire, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Scott Barrett, Luke Romano, Owen Franks, Charlie Faumuina, Joe Moody, Wyatt Crockett, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Dane Coles, Codie Taylor, Nathan Harris.

On standby: Jack Goodhue, Akira Ioane, Matt Todd, Vaea Fifita, Liam Coltman.


Share

3 min read

Published

Source: AAP


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world