Codie Taylor will captain a 34-strong All Blacks squad for the two-Test Bledisloe Cup series against the Wallabies. All Blacks Head Coach Dave Rennie and fellow selectors Sir Graham Henry and Neil Barnes have retained 31 players from the original 44-man squad for Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry. They also selected Richie Mo’unga, who joined the squad in South Africa as an injury replacement.
Scott Barrett returns from injury to join the squad. Shannon Frizell also rejoins after returning from Japan and re-signing with New Zealand Rugby earlier this year.
The Squad
Forwards (19)
- Hookers: Codie Taylor (35, Crusaders, Canterbury, 112 caps) (Captain); Asafo Aumua (29, Hurricanes, Wellington, 26); Samisoni Taukei’aho (29, Chiefs, Waikato, 45)
- Props: Ethan de Groot (28, Highlanders, Southland, 45); George Bower (34, Crusaders, Otago, 29); Xavier Numia (27, Hurricanes, Wellington, 5); Tyrel Lomax (30, Hurricanes, Tasman, 55); Fletcher Newell (26, Crusaders, Canterbury, 41); Pasilio Tosi (28, Hurricanes, Bay of Plenty, 17)
- Locks: Scott Barrett (32, Crusaders, Taranaki, 89); Josh Lord (25, Chiefs, Taranaki, 17); Fabian Holland (23, Highlanders, Otago, 15); Tupou Vaa’i (26, Chiefs, Taranaki, 51)
- Loose forwards: Simon Parker (26, Chiefs, Northland, 10); Shannon Frizell (32, Highlanders, Tasman, 33); Anton Segner (25, Blues, Auckland, 2); Ethan Blackadder (31, Crusaders, Tasman, 15); Peter Lakai (23, Hurricanes, Wellington, 14); Wallace Sititi (24, Chiefs, North Harbour, 23)
Backs (15)
- Halfbacks: Cam Roigard (25, Hurricanes, Counties Manukau, 24); Cortez Ratima (25, Chiefs, Waikato, 24); Kyle Preston (27, Crusaders, Wellington, 5)
- First five-eighths: Richie Mo’unga (32, Crusaders, Canterbury, 57); Josh Jacomb (25, Chiefs, Taranaki, 0)
- Midfielders: Jordie Barrett (29, Hurricanes, Taranaki, 85); Quinn Tupaea (27, Chiefs, Waikato, 29); Timoci Tavatavanawai (28, Highlanders, Tasman, 2); Rieko Ioane (29, Blues, Auckland, 89)
- Outside backs: Fehi Fineanganofo (24, Hurricanes, Bay of Plenty, 1); Leroy Carter (27, Chiefs, Bay of Plenty, 10); Josh Moorby (28, Hurricanes, Waikato, 5); Will Jordan (28, Crusaders, Tasman, 61); Beauden Barrett (35, Blues, Taranaki, 145); Damian McKenzie (31, Chiefs, Waikato, 81)
Unavailable due to injury: Ruben Love (ankle), Patrick Tuipulotu (calf), Ardie Savea (shoulder), Luke Jacobson (elbow), Anton Lienert-Brown (knee), Billy Proctor (shoulder), Caleb Clarke (shoulder) and Ollie Norris (knee).
Key Storylines
Taylor will captain the All Blacks in the Bledisloe Cup series, having led the side in a Test for the first time in the fourth Test against South Africa in Baltimore.
Scott Barrett returns after a long spell on the sidelines, which included a sabbatical and back surgery. He has rejoined Taranaki in the Hilux NPC. Frizell makes his return for the first time since 2023, after returning to New Zealand this year and appearing for Tasman in the Hilux NPC.
First five-eighth Josh Jacomb, who played two franchise games during Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour, is the only member of the squad yet to earn a Test cap. Love and Tuipulotu have joined the injury list, with Love sidelined by an ankle ligament injury and Tuipulotu by a calf strain.
Coaches and Players Respond
Rennie said the three Nations Championship Tests at home and Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour gave a large number of players valuable experience that would be vital for the Bledisloe Cup challenge. “Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour was great for us. We’ve learnt a lot about our game and about ourselves, and it gave a lot of guys valuable time in the jersey. Plenty of them put their hands up, and every player selected fully deserves their place.”
Rennie welcomed Barrett and Frizell back. “Scott has had a challenging stretch on the sidelines, and we’re thrilled to have his experience and leadership back in the group. Shannon brings plenty of Test experience and physical impact to our loose forwards.”
On Taylor’s appointment, Rennie said, “Codie is a top man who has huge mana. His leadership as Tour Captain was important for us during Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry, so we know he will do an outstanding job in Ardie’s absence.”
Rennie also highlighted the significance of the trophy. “The Bledisloe Cup means a huge amount to this team. We’ve held it since 2003 and we don’t take that for granted. Australia will be a real challenge. It’s now a very experienced Wallabies side who have played a lot of Test footy together. After eight games on the road, we’re excited to start this series in front of our home crowd at Eden Park.”
Taylor said he was humbled to be asked to captain the side. “To lead this team is a massive honour, and I know I’m lucky to have a lot of good leaders around me who make that job easier. A special thank you also to my whānau for their support, none of this would be possible without them.”
Taylor also paid tribute to Savea. “Ardie has done an outstanding job for us this year and we’re all gutted he’s not with us. We’ll be doing everything we can to make him proud.” He added, “This group is hungry to show what we’ve learned so far this year. The Bledisloe Cup means a lot to every player in this squad, and there’s nothing better than running out at Eden Park in front of a home crowd.”
Bledisloe Cup Fixtures
The All Blacks squad will assemble in Auckland on Sunday ahead of the first Bledisloe Cup Test. All times are NZDT.
- All Blacks v Wallabies: 10 October 2026, Eden Park, Auckland, 7:10pm
- Wallabies v All Blacks: 17 October 2026, Accor Stadium, Sydney, 6:00pm