Christie out, Jordan and Cane named in All Blacks squad

Well-known All Blacks Will Jordan and Sam Cane have been named in the 36-man squad for the Rugby Championship, along with inexperienced Hurricanes full-back Ruben Love and experienced utility back David Havili.

The four trained with the All Blacks during the three-Test series in July, but have not yet played.

Jordan (shoulder) and Cane (back) have both returned from injury and their inclusion in the squad is no surprise. In the case of outside back Jordan, he was prevented from playing Super Rugby for the Crusaders this season, while former captain Cane’s season in Japan was disrupted by his long-term problem.

Even more surprising is the fact that Blues halfback Finlay Christie has not been included in the extended squad. There was no mention of an injury problem in the press release from New Zealand Rugby this afternoon, so it is likely he has been outpaced by new signings Cortez Ratima and Noah Hotham.

TJ Perenara, who suffered a knee injury during the first Test match against England in Dunedin, has been included.

The changing of the guard is likely to continue when Cam Roigard recovers from his own knee injury later this year.

Ratima and Hotham both seized their chances on their debuts this month, as did Sam Darry, who also retained his place in the squad.

Darry’s shares have risen significantly after captain Scott Barrett suffered a finger injury during last weekend’s Test match against Fiji in San Diego.

Barrett underwent surgery last week and his return date is not yet known. He is unlikely to be considered for the two Tests against Argentina, which begin in Wellington on August 10 and at Eden Park a week later.

Josh Lord will train with the selection as a reserve.

Head coach Scott Robertson said: “It was a tough squad to select because everyone took their chances. Consistency is important but it’s also important to reward performance.

“Sam Cane, Will and David bring a lot of experience and leadership to the group and Ruben, Noah and Sam Darry have taken their chances in the area. It will be a special moment for Ruben to be selected for the first time. He has worked hard in the background and will be ready when his chance comes.”

Jordan, the top scorer at last year’s World Cup, will significantly boost the All Blacks’ attacking power, while Cane, the 95-Test veteran, will strengthen the loose forwards.

There are now seven free-agent forwards in the squad. Both Cane and Jordan are almost certain to feature in the first Test against the Pumas, but how Robertson uses them will be intriguing. This will be Cane’s final year with the All Blacks after signing a long-term deal with Japanese club Suntory.

Love has been a consistent performer for the Hurricanes this year, with the 23-year-old capable of playing fullback and first-five.

He represented the Māori All Blacks and All Blacks XV in 2022 and is the son of former Māori All Black Matene Love.

All Blacks Rugby Championship team

(age, Super Rugby club, province, Test caps)

* indicates new cap

Attackers (20)

Whores:

Asafo Aumua (27 / Hurricanes / Wellington / 9)

Codie Taylor (33 / Crusaders / Canterbury / 87)

George Bell (22 / Crusaders / Canterbury / 1)

Props:

Ethan De Groot (26 / Highlanders / Southland / 25)

Tyrel Lomax (28 / Hurricanes / Tasman / 34)

Fletcher Newell (24 / Crusaders / Canterbury / 16)

Pasilio Tosi (26 / Hurricanes / Bay of Plenty / 1)

Ofa Tu’ungafasi (32 / Blues / Northland / 59)

Tamaiti Williams (23 / Crusaders / Canterbury / 8)

Locks:

Scott Barrett (30 / Crusaders / Taranaki / 72) (Captain)

Tupou Vaa’i (24 / Chiefs / Taranaki / 28)

Patrick Tuipulotu (31 / Blues / Auckland / 45)

Sam Darry (24 / Blues / Canterbury / 1)

Loose attackers:

Ethan Blackadder (29 / Crusaders / Tasman / 11)

Sam Cane (32 / Chiefs / Bay of Plenty / 95)

Samipeni Finau (25 / Chiefs / Waikato / 3)

Luke Jacobson (27 / Chiefs / Waikato / 21)

Dalton Papali’i (26 / Blues / Counties Manukau / 34)

Ardie Savea (30 / Moana Pasifika / Wellington / 84) (vice-captain)

Wallace Sititi (21 / Chiefs / Noordhaven / 1)

Backs (16)

Halfbacks:

Noah Hotham (21 / Crusaders / Tasman / 1)

TJ Perenara (32 / Hurricanes / Wellington / 81)

Cortez Ratima (23 / Chiefs / Waikato / 2)

First fives:

Beauden Barrett (33 / Blues / Taranaki / 126)

Damian McKenzie (29 / Chiefs / Waikato / 50)

Midfielders:

Jordie Barrett (27 / Hurricanes / Taranaki / 60) (vice-captain)

David Havili (29 / Crusaders / Tasman / 27)

Rieko Ioane (27 / Blues / Auckland / 71)

Anton Lienert-Brown (29 / Chiefs / Waikato / 73)

Billy Proctor (25 / Hurricanes / Wellington / 1)

Outer ridges:

Caleb Clarke (25 / Blues / Auckland / 21)

Will Jordan (26 / Crusaders / Tasman / 31)

Ruben Love (23 / Hurricanes / Wellington / 0)*

Stephen Perofeta (27 / Blues / Taranaki / 5)

Sevu Reece (27 / Crusaders / Southland / 26)

Mark Tele’a (27 / Blues / Noordhaven / 11)

Injury coverage: Josh Lord (23 / Chiefs / Taranaki / 4)