After months of anticipation, the first All Blacks squad of 2025 has officially been announced.
David Kirk named the 35-man squad set to play in a three-test-match series against France next month.
As expected, a handful of fresh faces have earned the call-up, with Brodie McAlister, Ollie Norris, Fabian Holland, Du'Plessis Kirifi, and Timoci Tavatavanawai being named to debut and hopefully make their mark in the black jersey.
Notable missing names are Super Rugby champion David Havili and Ethan Blackadder.
ALL BLACKS SQUAD 2025:
HOOKERS:
Codie Taylor, Samisoni Taukei’aho and Brodie McAlistern (debut).
PROP:
Ethan de Groot, Tamaiti Williams, Ollie Norris (debut), Tyrel Lomax, Fletcher Newell and Pasilio Tosi.
LOCK:
Scott Barrett (captain), Patrick Tuipulotu, Tupou Vaa’i and Fabian Holland (debut).
LOOSE FORWARD:
Samipeni Finau, Ardie Savea, Du’Plessis Kirifi (debut), Wallace Sititi and Luke Jacobson.
HALF-BACK:
Cam Roigard, Cortez Ratima and Noah Hotham.
FIRST FIVE:
Beauden Barrett and Daman McKenzie.
MIDFIELD:
Anton Lienert-Brown, Jordie Barrett, Rieko Ioane, Quinn Tupaea and Billy Proctor.
OUTSIDE BACK:
Timoci Tavatavanawai (debut), Caleb Clarke, Sevu Reece, Will Jordan and Ruben Love.
Injury cover includes Christian Lio-Willie (debut) for Luke Jacobson and Emoni Narawa for Anton Lienert-Brown.
Asafo Aumua, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Sam Darry, Peter Lakai and Stephen Perofeta are all unavailable due to injury.
Despite speculation that Ardie Savea could take the reins of captaincy, Scott Barrett has retained the role for another season, with Ardie Savea and Jordie Barrett as his Vice-Captains.
Fittingly, the squad was announced at his and his brothers’ home club, Coastal RFC in Taranaki.
The All Blacks also welcome back hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho and midfielder Quinn Tupaea, who have not featured for the All Blacks since 2023 and 2022 respectively.
Meanwhile, Jordie Barrett makes his return to the side after a season away from Super Rugby.
He rejoins the squad following a successful sabbatical in Ireland, where he played during Leicester’s URC title win.
The All Blacks squad will assemble in Auckland on 25 June to begin preparations for the first test match in Dunedin on July 5th, followed by Wellington on July 12th and Hamilton on July 19th.
