Codie Taylor will captain a 34-strong All Blacks squad for the two-Test Bledisloe Cup series against the Wallabies. Head Coach Dave Rennie and fellow selectors Sir Graham Henry and Neil Barnes retained 31 players from the original 44-man squad for Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry, and also added Richie Mo’unga, who joined the squad in South Africa as an injury replacement.
Scott Barrett returns from injury, while Shannon Frizell rejoins the squad after returning from Japan and re-signing with New Zealand Rugby earlier this year.
The squad
The squad is listed below by position, with each player’s age, Super Rugby club, province and Test caps.
Hookers: Codie Taylor (35 / Crusaders / Canterbury / 112, 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)
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 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, following his return to the Hilux NPC with Taranaki. Frizell makes his return for the first time since 2023, having returned to New Zealand this year and appeared for Tasman in the Hilux NPC.
Josh Jacomb, who played two franchise games during the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour, is the only member of the squad yet to earn a Test cap. Love and Tuipulotu have joined the list of unavailable players, with Love out due to an ankle ligament injury and Tuipulotu with a calf strain.
Rennie and Taylor on the selection
Rennie said the three Nations Championship Tests at home and the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour had given many 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.”
“It’s great to welcome back Scott Barrett and Shannon Frizell. 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.”
“Congratulations also to Codie Taylor on the captaincy. 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 added: “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 All Blacks for the Bledisloe Cup.
“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.”
“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.”
“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,” Taylor said.
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