{"id":14249,"date":"2021-07-19T11:00:19","date_gmt":"2021-07-18T23:00:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/?p=14249"},"modified":"2021-07-19T12:59:52","modified_gmt":"2021-07-19T00:59:52","slug":"all-blacks-squad-named-for-the-rugby-championship","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/2021\/07\/19\/all-blacks-squad-named-for-the-rugby-championship\/","title":{"rendered":"All Blacks squad named for The Rugby Championship"},"content":{"rendered":"<p style=\"text-align: justify; padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">The All Blacks selectors, Head Coach Ian Foster, Assistant Head Coach John Plumtree and former All Black Grant Fox, have named their squad for the 2021 edition of the Rugby Championship.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify; padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">The 36-strong squad is as follows: (Age, Sky Super Rugby club, provincial union and Test caps in brackets.)<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify; padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\"><strong>Forwards<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify; padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\"><strong>Hookers<\/strong><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">Asafo Aumua (24, Hurricanes \/ Wellington, 2)<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">Dane Coles (34, Hurricanes \/ Wellington, 76)<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">Codie Taylor (30, Crusaders \/ Canterbury, 58)<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify; padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\"><strong>Props<\/strong><strong><br \/>\n<\/strong>Nepo Laulala (29, Blues \/ Counties Manukau, 31)<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">Tyrel Lomax (25, Hurricanes \/ Tasman, 8)<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">Joe Moody (32, Crusaders \/ Canterbury, 50)<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">Angus Ta\u2019avao (31, Chiefs \/ Auckland, 16)<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">Karl Tu\u2019inukuafe (28, Blues \/ North Harbour, 18)<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">Ofa Tuungafasi (29, Blues \/ Auckland, 39)<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify; padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\"><strong>Locks<\/strong><strong><br \/>\n<\/strong>Scott Barrett (27, Crusaders \/ Taranaki, 42)<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">Brodie Retallick (30, Chiefs \/ Hawke\u2019s Bay, 83)<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">Patrick Tuipulotu (28, Blues \/ Auckland, 38)<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">Tupou Vaa\u2019i (21, Chiefs \/ Taranaki, 4)<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">Samuel Whitelock (32, Crusaders \/ Canterbury, 125) \u2013 captain<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify; padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\"><strong>Loose Forwards<\/strong><strong><br \/>\n<\/strong>Ethan Blackadder (26, Crusaders \/ Tasman, 2)<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">Shannon Frizell (27, Highlanders \/ Tasman, 14)<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">Akira Ioane (26, Blues \/ Auckland, 4)<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">Luke Jacobson (24, Chiefs \/ Waikato, 5)<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">Dalton Papalii (23, Blues \/ Counties Manukau, 5)<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">Ardie Savea (27, Hurricanes \/ Wellington, 50)<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">Hoskins Sotutu (23, Blues \/ Counties Manukau, 6)<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify; padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\"><strong>Backs<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify; padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\"><strong>Halfbacks<\/strong><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">TJ Perenara (29, Hurricanes \/ Wellington, 69)<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">Aaron Smith (32, Highlanders \/ Manawatu, 99)<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">Brad Weber (30, Chiefs \/ Hawke\u2019s Bay, 9)<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify; padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\"><strong>First five\u2013eighths<\/strong><strong><br \/>\n<\/strong>Beauden Barrett (30, Blues \/ Taranaki, 91)<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">Richie Mo\u2019unga (27, Crusaders \/ Canterbury, 24)<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify; padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\"><strong>Midfielders<\/strong><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">Braydon Ennor (23, Crusaders \/ Canterbury, 1)<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">David Havili (26, Crusaders \/ Tasman, 5)<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">Rieko Ioane (24, Blues \/ Auckland, 37)<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">Anton Lienert-Brown (26, Chiefs \/ Waikato, 50)<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">Quinn Tupaea (22, Chiefs \/ Waikato, 1)<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify; padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\"><strong>Outside backs<\/strong><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">Jordie Barrett (24, Hurricanes \/ Taranaki, 25)<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">George Bridge (26, Crusaders \/ Canterbury, 12)<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">Will Jordan (22, Crusaders \/ Tasman, 5)<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">Damian McKenzie (26, Chiefs \/ Waikato, 30)<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">Sevu Reece (23, Crusaders \/ Tasman, 10)<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify; padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">One of the key features of the squad is the return of 69-Test halfback <strong>TJ Perenara<\/strong> to the national side. Having recently returned from Japan, Perenara is following a progressive return to rugby programme of club then Bunnings Warehouse NPC rugby. New All Black Finlay Christie will remain as temporary cover with the squad.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify; padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">Props <strong>Ofa Tuungafasi<\/strong> and <strong>Joe Moody<\/strong> also return to the All Blacks. Prop George Bower will remain with the squad as injury cover for Moody, who is not expected to return to Test rugby until after the Bledisloe Cup Series. Hooker Samisoni Taukei\u2019aho will also stay with the All Blacks squad as cover for Asafo Aumua who missed the last two Tests of the Steinlager Series. Aumua may also play the opening round of the Bunnings Warehouse NPC to build his match fitness.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify; padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">Meanwhile, it\u2019s also a welcome back to midfielder <strong>Braydon Ennor<\/strong>, who missed the Steinlager Series to undergo appendicitis surgery.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify; padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">125-Test lock Samuel Whitelock will again captain the All Blacks, in the absence of Sam Cane who is still recovering from chest surgery.\u00a0\u00a0As well as Cane, midfielder Jack Goodhue was also not considered for selection due to injury.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify; padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">All Blacks Head Coach Ian Foster said: \u201cIt\u2019s exciting to be naming the squad for the Rugby Championship and we can\u2019t wait for the next phase of our Test season.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify; padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\u201cThe Steinlager Series gave us a great opportunity to grow some depth and experience. It also enabled us to re-establish some returning players, both from overseas or from injury. The Bledisloe Cup plus the Rugby Championship are pinnacle challenges for us and remain as our top priorities. There is real excitement in the group for these opportunities in front of us,\u201d he added.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify; padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">The All Blacks will have a two-day camp in Christchurch next week before assembling in Auckland for the pre-Rugby Championship Bledisloe Cup Test presented by Steinlager, at Eden Park on Saturday 7 August. The second Bledisloe Test is at Optus Stadium, Perth, on Saturday 21 August, with the third back home at Sky Stadium, Wellington, the following Saturday, 28 August.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify; padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\u201cOur players are looking forward to spending some time at home before what is shaping up to be a hugely-competitive Rugby Championship. The Bledisloe Cup Series is a great way for us to kick off this part of the season,\u201d Foster said.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify; padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\u201cIt\u2019s our first challenge; we\u2019re playing for a trophy that is massively important to us, and we\u2019re both coming in fresh off our respective Series wins, so it bodes well for a great Series.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify; padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">Following the Bledisloe Cup Series, the All Blacks will then play four Tests in a row in September, with back-to-back Tests against Argentina, at Eden Park on Saturday 11 September and Sky Stadium, Wellington, on Saturday 18 September.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify; padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">The All Blacks then head to Dunedin for the 100th Test between the All Blacks and South Africa at Forsyth Barr Stadium on Saturday 25 September with the team\u2019s final Rugby Championship Test against South Africa at Eden Park on Saturday 2 October.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify; padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">Foster said the team was again looking forward to playing the Pumas and relishing the return of the Springboks to the Rugby Championship.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify; padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\u201cHaving the South Africans back in the Championship is going to be exciting for everyone. We haven\u2019t played them since Rugby World Cup 2019 so there\u2019ll be a lot of anticipation about them, and the 100th Test match is going to be an extra special occasion.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify; padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\"><strong>Bledisloe Cup Test presented by Steinlager<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify; padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">All Blacks vs Australia, 7.05PM, Saturday 7 August, Eden Park, AUCKLAND<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify; padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"14250\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/2021\/07\/19\/all-blacks-squad-named-for-the-rugby-championship\/217711689_2024700054348391_5591521921592352221_n\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/217711689_2024700054348391_5591521921592352221_n.jpg?fit=600%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"600,300\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"217711689_2024700054348391_5591521921592352221_n\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/217711689_2024700054348391_5591521921592352221_n.jpg?fit=300%2C150&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/217711689_2024700054348391_5591521921592352221_n.jpg?fit=600%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-14250 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/217711689_2024700054348391_5591521921592352221_n.jpg?resize=600%2C300&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/217711689_2024700054348391_5591521921592352221_n.jpg?w=600&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/217711689_2024700054348391_5591521921592352221_n.jpg?resize=300%2C150&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify; padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\"><strong>The Rugby Championship<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify; padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">(All Blacks Tests in <strong>bold<\/strong>.)<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify; padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\"><strong>WEEK 1<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify; padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">SATURDAY 14 AUGUST<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">South Africa vs Argentina, kick-off time and venue TBC, SOUTH AFRICA<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify; padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\"><strong>WEEK 2<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify; padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">SATURDAY 21 AUGUST<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 14px;\"><strong>Australia vs All Blacks, 6.00PM (10.00PM NZT), Optus Stadium, PERTH<\/strong><strong><br \/>\n<\/strong>Argentina vs South Africa, kick-off time and venue TBC, SOUTH AFRICA<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify; padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\"><strong>WEEK 3<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify; padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">SATURDAY 28 AUGUST<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 14px;\"><strong>All Blacks vs Australia, 7.05PM, Sky Stadium, WELLINGTON<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify; padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\"><strong>WEEK 4<\/strong><strong><br \/>\n<\/strong><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">SATURDAY 11 SEPTEMBER<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 14px;\"><strong>All Blacks vs Argentina, 7.05PM, Eden Park, AUCKLAND<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify; padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">SUNDAY 12 SEPTEMBER<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">South Africa vs Australia, 3.00PM (5.00PM NZT), Sydney Cricket Ground, SYDNEY<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify; padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\"><strong>WEEK 5<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify; padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">SATURDAY 18 SEPTEMBER<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">Australia vs South Africa, 3.00PM (5.00PM NZT) Suncorp Stadium, BRISBANE<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 14px;\"><strong>Argentina vs All Blacks, 7.05PM, Sky Stadium, WELLINGTON<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify; padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\"><strong>WEEK 6<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify; padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">SATURDAY 25 SEPTEMBER<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 14px;\"><strong>All Blacks vs South Africa, 7.05PM, Forsyth Barr Stadium, DUNEDIN<\/strong><strong><br \/>\n<\/strong>Australia vs Argentina, 7.45PM (9.45PM NZT), McDonald Jones Stadium, NEWCASTLE<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify; padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\"><strong>WEEK 7<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify; padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">SATURDAY 2 OCTOBER<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 14px;\"><strong>South Africa vs All Blacks, 7.05PM, Eden Park, AUCKLAND<\/strong><strong><br \/>\n<\/strong>Argentina vs Australia, 8.00PM (11.00PM), GIO Stadium, CANBERRA<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The All Blacks selectors, Head Coach Ian Foster, Assistant Head Coach John Plumtree and former All Black Grant Fox, have named their squad for the 2021 edition of the Rugby Championship. The 36-strong squad is as follows: (Age, Sky Super Rugby club, provincial union and Test caps in brackets.) Forwards Hookers Asafo Aumua (24, Hurricanes&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":14251,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"All Blacks squad named for The Rugby Championship\r\nhttps:\/\/wp.me\/p4wlzH-3HP\r\n\r\nThe All Blacks selectors, Head Coach Ian Foster, Assistant Head Coach John Plumtree and former All Black Grant Fox, have named their squad for the 2021 edition of the Rugby Championship.","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-14249","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-rugbyheartland-news"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/217563546_2024700001015063_2965700070931722913_n.jpg?fit=1080%2C1350&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p4wlzH-3HP","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":8781,"url":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/2019\/07\/02\/1st-all-blacks-team-named-2019\/","url_meta":{"origin":14249,"position":0},"title":"1st ALL BLACKS team named 2019","author":"admin_hland","date":"July 2, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"All Blacks squad named for 2019 Investec Rugby Championship opening Tests Four new All Blacks named The All Blacks selectors, Head Coach Steve Hansen, Assistant Head Coach Ian Foster and former All Black Grant Fox, have named the squad for the first two matches of the Investec Rugby Championship against\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;RugbyHeartland News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"RugbyHeartland News","link":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/category\/rugbyheartland-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/news_1__517363794zx.jpg?fit=995%2C621&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/news_1__517363794zx.jpg?fit=995%2C621&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/news_1__517363794zx.jpg?fit=995%2C621&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/news_1__517363794zx.jpg?fit=995%2C621&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":22697,"url":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/2025\/08\/04\/all-blacks-squad-for-the-lipovitan-d-rugby-championship\/","url_meta":{"origin":14249,"position":1},"title":"All Blacks Squad for the Lipovitan-D Rugby Championship","author":"Kevin Hare","date":"August 4, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"CAPTION: The All Blacks perform the haka in the Lipovitan-D July Series, FMG Stadium, Hamilton. (Photo by Blake Armstrong \/ action press) All Blacks selectors Scott Robertson, Scott Hansen and Jason Ryan have named their squad for the 2025 Lipovitan-D Rugby Championship. The squad is as follows: (age, Super Rugby\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;RugbyHeartland News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"RugbyHeartland News","link":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/category\/rugbyheartland-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/nzwq.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/nzwq.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/nzwq.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/nzwq.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/nzwq.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":22395,"url":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/2025\/04\/07\/2025-new-zealand-under-20-squad-and-coaching-group-announced\/","url_meta":{"origin":14249,"position":2},"title":"2025 New Zealand Under 20 squad and coaching group announced","author":"Kevin Hare","date":"April 7, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Above PHOTO: First-five Rico Simpson in action for the New Zealand Under 20s during The Rugby Championship U20s in Australia in 2024. Simpson is one of six players from the 2024 team named in the 2025 squad. CREDIT: Tertius Pickard\/action press New Head Coach Milton Haig has announced a talented\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;RugbyHeartland News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"RugbyHeartland News","link":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/category\/rugbyheartland-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/vaqs2.jpg?fit=987%2C764&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/vaqs2.jpg?fit=987%2C764&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/vaqs2.jpg?fit=987%2C764&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/vaqs2.jpg?fit=987%2C764&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":7072,"url":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/2018\/05\/20\/all-blacks-squad-named-for-2018-steinlager-series\/","url_meta":{"origin":14249,"position":3},"title":"All Blacks squad named for 2018 Steinlager Series","author":"admin_hland","date":"May 20, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Follow @RedefinedRugby All Blacks squad named for 2018 Steinlager Series A mixture of world-class experience and exciting younger talent are the features of the All Blacks squad named today by selectors Steve Hansen, Ian Foster and Grant Fox for the three-Test Steinlager Series against France. The squad is as follows:\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;RugbyHeartland News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"RugbyHeartland News","link":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/category\/rugbyheartland-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/ste18zb.jpg?fit=1200%2C240&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/ste18zb.jpg?fit=1200%2C240&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/ste18zb.jpg?fit=1200%2C240&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/ste18zb.jpg?fit=1200%2C240&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/ste18zb.jpg?fit=1200%2C240&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":12373,"url":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/2020\/09\/06\/all-blacks-squad-named-for-2020-investec-rugby-championship\/","url_meta":{"origin":14249,"position":4},"title":"ALL BLACKS SQUAD NAMED FOR 2020 INVESTEC RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP","author":"admin_hland","date":"September 6, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"The All Blacks selectors, Head Coach Ian Foster, Assistant Head Coach John Plumtree and former All Black Grant Fox, have named the squad for the 2020 Investec Rugby Championship. The 35-strong squad is as follows (with age, Investec Super Rugby club, province and Test caps.\u00a0 New All Blacks in bold):\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;RugbyHeartland News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"RugbyHeartland News","link":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/category\/rugbyheartland-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/abs20202.jpg?fit=1100%2C430&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/abs20202.jpg?fit=1100%2C430&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/abs20202.jpg?fit=1100%2C430&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/abs20202.jpg?fit=1100%2C430&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/abs20202.jpg?fit=1100%2C430&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":16328,"url":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/2022\/07\/22\/all-blacks-squad-named-for-lipovitan-d-rugby-championship\/","url_meta":{"origin":14249,"position":5},"title":"All Blacks squad named for Lipovitan-D Rugby Championship","author":"admin_hland","date":"July 22, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"All Blacks coach Ian Foster has named the following squad for the 2022 edition of the Lipovitan-D Rugby Championship. The 36-strong squad is as follows: (Age, Super Rugby club, Test caps in brackets). Forwards: Hookers Dane Coles (35, Hurricanes \/ Wellington, 81) Samisoni Taukeiaho (24, Chiefs \/ Waikato, 11) Codie\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;RugbyHeartland News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"RugbyHeartland News","link":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/category\/rugbyheartland-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/295469166_10158866647266915_7710628612455153151_n.jpg?fit=843%2C527&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/295469166_10158866647266915_7710628612455153151_n.jpg?fit=843%2C527&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/295469166_10158866647266915_7710628612455153151_n.jpg?fit=843%2C527&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/295469166_10158866647266915_7710628612455153151_n.jpg?fit=843%2C527&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14249","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14249"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14249\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14252,"href":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14249\/revisions\/14252"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/14251"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14249"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14249"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14249"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}