All Blacks squad for RWC 2015 announced 31 Aug 2015
Related articles
- Niki Roderick Extends Depth To New Zealand Record Sport
- NZ More Interested in All Whites than All Blacks Sport
- Australia Jumping on the Boy Bandwagon Living
- All Whites claim historic point Sport
- Prime Minister to travel to South Africa News
- Snow on The Remarkables Living
- Team Selected for Ultimate Ride Jet-ski Sport
- Trubridge Triumphs With Unassisted Freedive Record Sport
- New Zealand 2011 Business Club launched Business
- 300 feet down: two bare feet and one breath of air Living
All Blacks squad for RWC 2015 announced
allblacks.com 30 Aug 2015
The All Blacks squad for Rugby World Cup 2015 has been announced with the All Blacks selectors selecting a squad featuring experience, depth and talent.
The squad was unveiled by New Zealand Rugby Chairman Brent Impey in front of a packed audience at Parliament in Wellington, New Zealand, this evening.
The All Blacks Rugby World Cup squad is: (with province and Test caps)
Forwards: Hookers
Dane Coles
(Wellington, 30 Tests)
Keven Mealamu (Auckland, 126
Tests)
Codie Taylor (Canterbury, three
Tests)
Props
Wyatt Crockett
(Canterbury, 40 Tests)
Charlie Faumuina (Auckland, 27
Tests)
Ben Franks (Hawke’s Bay, 43 Tests)
Owen
Franks (Canterbury, 72 Tests)
Tony Woodcock (North
Harbour, 115 Tests)
Locks
Brodie
Retallick (Bay of Plenty, 41 Tests)
Luke Romano
(Canterbury, 20 Tests)
Samuel Whitelock (Canterbury, 66
Tests)
Loose forwards
Sam Cane (Bay of
Plenty, 24 Tests)
Jerome Kaino (Auckland, 60
Tests)
Richie McCaw, captain (Canterbury, 142
Tests)
Liam Messam (Waikato, 42 Tests)
Kieran Read
(Canterbury, 77 Tests)
Victor Vito (Wellington, 28
Tests)
Backs: Halfbacks
Tawera
Kerr–Barlow (Waikato, 15 Tests)
TJ Perenara
(Wellington, 15 Tests)
Aaron Smith (Manawatu, 41
Tests)
First five–eighths
Beauden
Barrett (Taranaki, 30 Tests)
Daniel Carter (Canterbury,
106 Tests)
Colin Slade (Canterbury, 20
Tests)
Midfielders
Malakai Fekitoa
(Auckland, 11 Tests)
Ma’a Nonu (Wellington, 97
Tests)
Conrad Smith (Wellington, 88 Tests)
Sonny Bill
Williams (Counties Manukau, 26 Tests)
Outside
backs
Nehe Milner-Skudder (Manawatu, two
Tests)
Waisake Naholo (Taranaki, one Test)
Julian
Savea (Wellington, 35 Tests)
Ben Smith (Otago, 41
Tests)
The squad, captained by Richie McCaw, features 17 forwards and 14 backs with the following positional breakdown: three hookers, five props, three locks, six loose forwards, three halfbacks, three first five-eighths, four midfielders and four outside backs. It will be a particularly exciting time for 17 of the All Blacks squad, who will be going to their first Rugby World Cup tournament.
All Blacks Head Coach Steve Hansen said: “The selectors would like to congratulate all those players selected for the Rugby World Cup squad. It’s a huge honour to represent your country on the international stage. It’s the pinnacle for any New Zealand rugby player and we know the players and their families will be immensely proud of what they have achieved, as are we.
“Conversely, we know that there are some players who are disappointed. We are a tight-knit family and it’s always difficult when players miss out. Those players did everything asked of them and the selections are more a reflection of the player depth that we have, and the mix of players required to effectively manage a 31-strong squad at what is a unique Tournament with a unique set of replacement player rules.
“I’m sure it won’t be the last time a lot of the players who have missed out play for the All Blacks. As we have seen in previous Rugby World Cups, anything can happen with injuries, and we want those players to be ready to step in if needed.
“To the fans I would like to say: our attitude going into this Rugby World Cup is not a case of expecting it, but one of making it happen. The Cup isn’t ours. We are not defenders; like everyone else, we are contenders. We have to earn the right to win it through world-class performances.
“In doing so, we have to do something that no-one has ever done before. But that is a hugely exciting challenge and one I believe the team will rise to. With this in mind, we believe we have selected players with the right mix of experience, x-factor, determination and mental strength. This is an exciting and talented group of players who are looking to do something that hasn’t been done before, and make New Zealanders proud.”
The squad features provincial representation from 11 of New Zealand’s ITM Cup provinces and all New Zealand’s five Investec Super Rugby clubs are represented. With 1,484 caps spread amongst the 31-man squad, it’s a hugely experienced side, balanced with a number of newer All Blacks, with nine players having played fewer than 25 Tests. The side has an average age of 28.
The All Blacks will have a three-day camp in Wellington this week before the entire squad files around the country on Thursday 3 September for the hugely popular All Blacks to the Nation event, with the players being hosted by communities in Long Bay and Papakura in Auckland, New Plymouth, Greytown, Whakatane, Gisborne, Westport, Stoke, Dunedin and Mataura.
The squad will then reassemble in Auckland for a three-day camp on Monday 7 September before flying out to London on Thursday 10 September. Fans will get a final chance to farewell the team at a public training event at Waitakere’s Trusts Stadium the day before, Wednesday 9 September. Keep an eye on allblacks.com for further details.
Rugby World Cup 2015 – All Blacks Tests
1. Argentina (4.45PM, Sunday 20 September,
Wembley Stadium, London)
2. Namibia (8.00PM, Thursday 24
September, Olympic Stadium, London)
3. Georgia (8.00PM,
Friday 2 October, Millennium Stadium, Cardiff)
4. Tonga
(8.00PM, Friday 9 October, St James’ Park,
Newcastle)
News
Hilary Timmins' Award-Winning UK Documentary Series To Inspire NZ Students
29 Jun 2020 Education
Dream Catchers, produced and directed by Hilary Timmins, celebrates the success stories of more than thirty inspirational New... more
New Zealand reaffirms support for Flight MH17 judicial process
7 Mar 2020 News
Ahead of the start of the criminal trial in the Netherlands on 9 March, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has reaffirmed the need to... more
Business
NZ Government's Economic package to fight COVID-19
17 Mar 2020 Business News
The Coalition Government has launched the most significant peace-time economic plan in modern New Zealand history to cushion the... more
NZ Government announces aviation relief package
19 Mar 2020 Business News
Transport Minister Phil Twyford today outlined the first tranche of the $600 million aviation sector relief package announced earlier... more
Living
Diversity was Key at New Zealand Trade Tasting in London
6 Jun 2022 Food & Wine
New Zealand Winegrowers Annual Trade Tasting was recently held in London, on Wednesday 4 May, in Lindley Hall.
It was the first... more
Kiwi author stuns Behind the Butterfly Gate
12 Jan 2022 Arts
Hidden behind the Butterfly Gate is where the secret has been kept for 76 years...
New Zealand writer Merryn Corcoran’s... more
Property
Fairer rules for tenants and landlords
17 Nov 2019 Property
17 NOVEMBER 2019
The Government has delivered on its promise to the over one million New Zealanders who now rent to make it fairer... more
New Zealand Government will not implement a Capital Gains Tax
17 Apr 2019 Property
The Coalition Government will not proceed with the Tax Working Group’s recommendation for a capital gains tax, Jacinda Ardern... more
Migration
Boosting border security with electronic travel authority – now over 500,000 issued
19 Nov 2019 Migration
19 NOVEMBER 2019
We’ve improved border security with the NZeTA, New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority, which helps us to... more
Christchurch reinstated as refugee settlement location
18 Aug 2018 Migration
18 AUGUST 2018
HON IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY
The announcement that Christchurch can once again be a settlement location for refugees... more
Travel
Gallipoli Anzac Day services cancelled
19 Mar 2020 Travel & Tourism
The New Zealand and Australian Governments have announced this year’s joint Anzac Day services at Gallipoli will be cancelled... more
New Zealanders advised not to travel overseas
19 Mar 2020 Travel & Tourism
New Zealanders advised not to travel overseas
more
Sport
The Skipper's Diary: Sir Richard Hadlee honouring his father and NZ's Forty-Niners
27 Oct 2019 Cricket
NZNewsUK London Editor Charlotte Everett spoke to Sir Richard Hadlee about why he’s chosen to publish his father’s... more
PREVIEW: All Blacks v England semi-final
26 Oct 2019 Rugby
The two most convincing quarterfinals winners are set to square off in a semifinal showdown for the ages when the All Blacks meet old... more
Columns
Gordon Campbell on the Gareth Morgan crusade
11 Nov 2016 Opinion
Gordon Campbell on the Gareth Morgan crusade
First published on Werewolf
The ghastly likes of Marine Le Pen in France and Geert ... more
Gordon Campbell on the US election outcome
10 Nov 2016 Opinion
Column - Gordon Campbell
Gordon Campbell on the US election outcome
Well um.. on the bright side, there (probably)... more
Kiwi Success
Congratulations to Loder Cup winner
26 Sep 2018 People
25 SEPTEMBER 2018
The Loder Cup, one of New Zealand’s oldest conservation awards, has been awarded to Robert McGowan for 2018... more
Appointments to New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO
16 Aug 2018 Appointments
16 AUGUST 2018Appointments to New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO
HON JENNY SALESA
Associate Education Minister Jenny Salesa is... more
Recruitment
Historic pay equity settlement for education support workers
14 Aug 2018 Recruitment
14 AUGUST 2018Historic pay equity settlement for education support workers
RT HON JACINDA ARDERN
HON CHRIS HIPKINS
Prime Minister
The... more
Historic pay equity settlement for education support workers
22 Aug 2018 Recruitment
14 AUGUST 2018Historic pay equity settlement for education support workers
RT HON JACINDA ARDERN
HON CHRIS HIPKINS
Prime Minister
The... more