Experienced centre Anton Lienert-Brown has been named in the All Blacks squad for their end-of-year tour to the Northern Hemisphere.
Lienert-Brown returned from a shoulder injury this weekend after a lengthy lay-off and adds depth to coach Ian Foster’s options at centre, given that Quinn Tupaea has been sidelined with a severe knee injury.
Faith in experience
Foster says the coaching staff has a lot of faith in the experienced 27-year-old and will be monitoring his progress in the next couple of weeks.
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“He is a very experienced, seasoned player for us,’’ Foster said. “Played a lot of Test matches. We have got a lot of faith in him.
“He’s coming back from a long-term shoulder injury, but he’s now back playing. So we can monitor him for the next two or three weeks.”
Meanwhile, Damian McKenzie has been overlooked despite returning to New Zealand to push for selection as Foster favours the continued selection of Stephen Perofeta, a player who could get more game time in November.
“The tour also gives us a chance to play some of the younger or fringe guys, that didn’t get a lot of time during the Rugby Championship and I guess the likes of a Stephen Perofeta is one example of someone that we would really like to see get more time on the park,” Foster said.
“So he’s warranted his inclusion on that basis.”
Patrick Tuipulotu has been left out of the squad after joining the All Blacks during the Rugby Championship, leaving Foster with Scott Barrett, Brodie Retallick, Tupou Vaa’i and Sam Whitelock as second-row options.
Foster sees the end-of-year Tests as vital preparation for the World Cup in France next year and will look for his side to kick on from their Rugby Championship title.
“With less than a year till the start of the Rugby World Cup, this tour gives us another great opportunity to grow from where we finished the Rugby Championship,’’ Foster said.
”Experiencing big test matches in the north is great preparation for what is to come in France next year.’’
The squad
Forwards: Dane Coles, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Codie Taylor, George Bower, Ethan de Groot, Nepo Laulala, Tyrel Lomax, Fletcher Newell, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Scott Barrett, Brodie Retallick, Tupou Vaa’i, Sam Whitelock, Sam Cane (c), Shannon Frizell, Akira Ioane, Dalton Papali’i, Ardie Savea, Hoskins Sotutu
Backs: Finlay Christie, Folau Fakatava, Aaron Smith, Beauden Barrett, Richie Mo’unga, Stephen Perofeta, Braydon Ennor, David Havili, Rieko Ioane, Anton Lienert-Brown, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Jordie Barrett, Caleb Clarke, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Will Jordan, Sevu Reece