All Blacks selectors have named their squad for the 2025 Grand Slam tour, which kicks off with ‘The Gallagher Cup – The Rematch’ against Ireland in Chicago, followed by matches against Scotland, England and Wales.
Hooker George Bell is the only new inclusion who was not involved in the Lipovitan-D Rugby Championship, while prop Tevita Mafileo is the only uncapped member of the squad.
The All Blacks will kick off their 2025 Grand Slam campaign with a highly anticipated clash against Ireland at Soldier Field Stadium in Chicago. The fixture is a rematch of the unforgettable 2016 showdown between the two sides at the same venue.
The team will then travel to the United Kingdom for consecutive matches against Scotland, England, and Wales. It will mark the first time in fifteen years that the All Blacks have embarked on a Grand Slam tour, defined as a touring Southern Hemisphere team defeating all four Home Nations.
It is 100 years since the All Blacks’ first Grand Slam attempt, the 1905 northern tour by the team that would become known as ‘The Originals’. The All Blacks have since achieved a Grand Slam four times - in 1978, 2005, 2008, and 2010.
All Blacks Head Coach Scott Robertson said the 2025 tour represents a special moment for the squad.
“There is a lot of history that has led up to this opportunity for our group, so we will be honouring and taking inspiration from the feats that have come before us.
“The rematch against Ireland at Soldier Field will be a huge occasion, and then facing some of the northern hemisphere’s best at their home grounds is a fantastic challenge for us. We are looking forward to this very special tour.”
The All Black squad: (age, Super Rugby club, province, Test caps) * denotes new caps
Hooker: Codie Taylor (34, Crusaders / Canterbury, 103), Samisoni Taukei’aho (28, Chiefs / Waikato, 39), George Bell (23, Crusaders / Canterbury, 3)
Props: Ethan de Groot (27, Highlanders / Southland, 37), Tamaiti Williams (25, Crusaders / Canterbury, 23), George Bower (33, Crusaders / Otago, 24), Fletcher Newell (25, Crusaders / Canterbury, 31), Pasilio Tosi (27, Hurricanes / Bay of Plenty, 12), Tevita Mafileo (27, Hurricanes / Bay of Plenty, *)
Locks: Scott Barrett (31, Crusaders / Taranaki, 86), (Captain)
Patrick Tuipulotu (32, Blues / Auckland, 56) replaced by Sam Darry due to injury,
Fabian Holland (23, Highlanders / Otago, 9),
Josh Lord (24, Chiefs / Taranaki, 8)
Loose forwards: Samipeni Finau (26, Chiefs / Waikato, 12),
Simon Parker (25, Chiefs / Northland, 5),
Ardie Savea (31, Moana Pasifika / Wellington, 103) (Vice-Captain),
Du’Plessis Kirifi (28, Hurricanes / Wellington, 6),
Wallace Sititi (23, Chiefs / North Harbour, 15),
Peter Lakai (22, Hurricanes / Wellington, 5),
Luke Jacobson (28, Chiefs / Waikato, 25)
Scrum-halves:
Cortez Ratima (24, Chiefs / Waikato, 18),
Cameron Roigard (24, Hurricanes / Counties Manukau, 14),
Finlay Christie (30, Blues / Tasman, 27)
Fly-halves: Beauden Barrett (34, Blues / Taranaki, 141), Damian McKenzie (30, Chiefs / Waikato, 70)
Centres: Anton Lienert-Brown (30, Chiefs / Waikato, 86), Jordie Barrett (28, Hurricanes / Taranaki, 77) (Vice-Captain), Quinn Tupaea (26, Chiefs / Waikato, 21), Billy Proctor (26, Hurricanes / Wellington, 9)
Outside backs: Leicester Fainga’anuku (26, Crusaders / Tasman, 8) Rieko Ioane (28, Blues / Auckland, 87) Caleb Clarke (26, Blues / Auckland, 30) Sevu Reece (28, Crusaders / Southland, 36) Leroy Carter (26, Chiefs / Bay of Plenty, 3) Will Jordan (27, Crusaders / Tasman, 50) Ruben Love (24, Hurricanes / Wellington, 4)
Unavailable due to injury: Tyrel Lomax; Tupou Vaa’i; Noah Hotham; Emoni Narawa; Ollie Norris; Timoci Tavatavanawai; Ofa Tu’ungafasi; Asafo Aumua; Stephen Perofeta.
Northern Tour Fixtures (all times listed are NZST):
- Sunday 02 November, 9.00am: The Gallagher Cup - The Rematch, All Blacks v Ireland, Soldier Field Stadium, Chicago
- Sunday 09 November, 4.10am: All Blacks v Scotland, Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh
- Sunday 16 November, 4:10am: All Blacks v England, Allianz Stadium Twickenham, London
- Sunday 23 November, 4:10am: All Blacks v Wales, Principality (Millenium) Stadium, Cardiff
