Scrumhalf Cam Roigard battled back from injury to make New Zealand’s northern tour squad named Monday, a largely settled group which featured soon-to-retire veterans Sam Cane and TJ Perenara.
Rising talent Roigard, 23, was recalled to the All Blacks six months after a severe knee injury derailed his Super Rugby campaign.
The three-Test rookie, included at the expense of fellow scrumhalf Noah Hotham, was the only tweak to a 36-man squad otherwise unchanged from the Rugby Championship.
Head coach Scott Robertson said Roigard had been in “great form” and selectors were “excited to have him back in the mix”.
Former captain Cane and stalwart scrumhalf Perenara were picked despite previously announcing they would retire from international rugby at the end of the year.
Robertson said it was crucial to have a balance between older heads and fresh talent.
“We have selected a squad that will bring consistency and continuity, while also achieving the right balance of giving newer talent the chance to develop within a team that has valuable experience against these northern hemisphere sides.”
New Zealand start the tour against Japan in Yokohama on October 26, before playing England, Ireland, France and then Italy across successive weekends.
A second-string All Blacks XV squad is due to be named later this week for games against Georgia and Irish club side Munster.
All Blacks squad:
Backs: Stephen Perofeta, Ruben Love, Will Jordan, Mark Tele’a, Caleb Clarke, Sevu Reece, Rieko Ioane, Billy Proctor, Anton Lienert-Brown, Jordie Barrett, David Havili, Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie, TJ Perenara, Cortez Ratima, Cam Roigard.
Forwards: Ardie Savea, Wallace Sititi, Dalton Papali’i, Sam Cane, Ethan Blackadder, Samipeni Finau, Luke Jacobson, Scott Barrett (c), Tupou Vaa’i, Patrick Tuipulotu, Sam Darry, Tamaiti Williams, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Pasilio Tosi, Fletcher Newell, Tyrel Lomax, Ethan De Groot, Codie Taylor, Asafo Aumua, George Bell.
© Agence France-Presse
Photo: Dan Mullan/Getty Images
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