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New Zealand Head Coach Steve Hansen has named a 39-man roster for the Rugby Championship. All players play their rugby in New Zealand for Super Rugby franchises.
Included are uncapped players – Asafo Aumua, Braydon Ennor, Josh Ioane, Luke Jacobson, Atu Moli, and Sevu Reece. The inclusion of Reece comes despite his native Fiji seeking to select him for RWC 2019.
Hansen’s roster will open their 2019 activity away to Argentina in Buenos Aires on Saturday, July 20. Seven days later they will play at home against South Africa in Wellington.
New Zealand are ranked no1 in the world, and have held this position long before since retaining their RWC title four years ago at RWC 2015 in England, and Wales.
NEW ZEALAND
FORWARDS
Asafo Aumua (Hurricanes), Dane Coles (Hurricanes), Liam Coltman (Highlanders), Codie Taylor (Crusaders), Owen Franks (Crusaders), Nepo Laulala (Chiefs), Joe Moody (Crusaders), Atu Moli (Chiefs), Angus Ta’avao (Chiefs), Karl Tu’inukuafe (Blues), Ofa Tuungafasi (Blues), Brodie Retallick (Chiefs), Patrick Tuipulotu (Blues), Samuel Whitelock (Crusaders), Jackson Hemopo (Highlanders), Sam Cane (Chiefs), Vaea Fifita (Hurricanes), Shannon Frizell (Highlanders), Luke Jacobson (Chiefs), Dalton Papalii (Blues), Kieran Read (Crusaders), Ardie Savea (Hurricanes), Matt Todd (Crusaders)
BACKS
TJ Perenara (Hurricanes), Aaron Smith (Highlanders), Brad Weber (Chiefs), Beauden Barrett (Hurricanes), Josh Ioane (Highlanders), Richie Mo’unga (Crusaders), Jack Goodhue (Crusaders), Ngani Laumape (Hurricanes), Anton Lienert-Brown (Chiefs), Sonny Bill Williams (Blues), Braydon Ennor (Crusaders), Jordie Barrett (Hurricanes), George Bridge (Crusaders), Rieko Ioane (Blues), Sevu Reece (Crusaders), Ben Smith (Highlanders)
