All Blacks selectors Scott Robertson, Scott Hansen and Jason Ryan have named their squad for the 2025 Lipovitan-D Rugby Championship.
The Rugby Championship squad features four potential debutants. Loose forward Simon Parker has been named in the squad, while prop Tevita Mafileo, halfback Kyle Preston and utility back Leroy Carter are listed as injury cover.
All Blacks Head Coach Scott Robertson said these players have all been on the selectors’ radar and deserve the opportunity to push for the black jersey.
“Simon Parker had an impressive Super Rugby season with the Chiefs and brings a valuable skill set and physicality that we are looking forward to working with. He has the ability to play blindside or No. 8 and has gained experience in a number of New Zealand representative teams, so we believe he is ready for the step up.
“While we are clearly disappointed for our men who are currently recovering from injuries, that has also created opportunities for a number of deserving players including the uncapped Tevita Mafileo, Kyle Preston and Leroy Carter. These players have earned the opportunity through consistent performance, and we know that they will take this chance. We are excited about what they will bring to the squad.
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“It is also fantastic to have Tamaiti Williams and Wallace Sititi returning from their injuries, as well as welcoming Peter Lakai, Finlay Christie and Josh Lord back into the group,” Robertson said.
“We have some massively exciting and challenging games ahead of us and we are looking forward to reassembling and getting to work, starting with two tests against a very strong Los Pumas side.”
The All Blacks squad will travel to Argentina on 8 August to begin preparations for the first Test against Argentina on 16 August (NZST) in Córdoba. Tyrel Lomax, Luke Jacobson, Cam Roigard, Noah Hotham and Caleb Clarke will not travel to Argentina while they recover from injury.
Lipovitan-D Rugby Championship Fixtures (all times listed are NZST):
Sunday 16 August, 9.10am – All Blacks v Argentina, Mario Alberto Kempes Stadium, Córdoba
Sunday 23 August, 9.10am – All Blacks v Argentina, Vélez Sarsfield Stadium, Buenos Aires
Saturday 6 September, 7.05pm – All Blacks v South Africa, Eden Park, Auckland
Saturday 13 September, 7.05pm – All Blacks v South Africa, Sky Stadium, Wellington
Saturday 27 September, 5.05pm – All Blacks v Australia, Eden Park, Auckland
Saturday 4 October, 10.45pm – All Blacks v Australia, Optus Stadium, Perth
The squad is as follows: (age, Super Rugby club, province, Test caps)
* denotes new caps
Hookers:
Codie Taylor (34, Crusaders / Canterbury, 98)
Samisoni Taukei’aho (27, Chiefs / Waikato, 33)
Brodie McAlister (28, Chiefs / Canterbury, 1)
Props:
Ethan de Groot (27, Highlanders / Southland, 32)
Tamaiti Williams (24, Crusaders / Canterbury, 18)
Ollie Norris (25, Chiefs / Waikato, 2)
Tyrel Lomax (29, Hurricanes / Tasman, 45)
Fletcher Newell (25, Crusaders / Canterbury, 25)
Pasilio Tosi (27, Hurricanes / Bay of Plenty, 9)
Locks:
Scott Barrett (31, Crusaders / Taranaki, 81) (Captain)
Patrick Tuipulotu (32, Blues / Auckland, 55)
Tupou Vaa’i (25, Chiefs / Taranaki, 40)
Fabian Holland (22, Highlanders / Otago, 3)
Loose forwards:
Samipeni Finau (26, Chiefs / Waikato, 11)
Simon Parker (25, Chiefs / Northland, *)
Ardie Savea (31, Moana Pasifika / Wellington, 97) (Vice-Captain)
Du’Plessis Kirifi (28, Hurricanes / Wellington, 3)
Wallace Sititi (22, Chiefs / North Harbour, 10)
Peter Lakai (22, Hurricanes / Wellington, 3)
Luke Jacobson (28, Chiefs / Waikato, 24)
Halfbacks:
Cortez Ratima (24, Chiefs / Waikato, 14)
Cameron Roigard (24, Hurricanes / Counties Manukau, 12)
Noah Hotham (22, Crusaders / Tasman, 2)
First-five eighths:
Beauden Barrett (34, Blues / Taranaki, 136)
Damian McKenzie (30, Chiefs / Waikato, 64)
Midfielders:
Anton Lienert-Brown (30, Chiefs / Waikato, 85)
Jordie Barrett (28, Hurricanes / Taranaki, 71) (Vice-Captain)
Quinn Tupaea (26, Chiefs / Waikato, 16)
Billy Proctor (26, Hurricanes / Wellington, 4)
Timoci Tavatavanawai (27, Highlanders / Tasman, 2)
Outside backs:
Rieko Ioane (28, Blues / Auckland, 83)
Caleb Clarke (26, Blues / Auckland, 29)
Sevu Reece (28, Crusaders / Southland, 34)
Emoni Narawa (26, Chiefs / Bay of Plenty, 3)
Will Jordan (27, Crusaders / Tasman, 44)
Ruben Love (24, Hurricanes / Wellington, 2)
Injury Cover:
The following players have been named as injury cover for the start of the Lipovitan-D Rugby Championship.
George Bower (33, Crusaders / Otago, 23) for Tamaiti Williams
Tevita Mafileo (27, Hurricanes / Bay of Plenty, *) for Tyrel Lomax
Josh Lord (24, Chiefs / Taranaki, 7) for Luke Jacobson
Finlay Christie (29, Blues / Tasman, 23) for Cameron Roigard/Noah Hotham
Kyle Preston (25, Crusaders / Wellington, *) for Cameron Roigard/Noah Hotham
Leroy Carter (26, Chiefs / Bay of Plenty, *) for Caleb Clarke
Unavailable due to injury:
Ofa Tu’ungafasi; Asafo Aumua; Stephen Perofeta.
