All Blacks name 36-man squad for end-of-year tour amid injuries

All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson on Monday named a 36‑player squad for the end‑of‑year tour to the northern hemisphere, which begins with a Test against Ireland at Soldier Field in Chicago on November 2 and continues with matches at Murrayfield, Twickenham and the Principality Stadium through November. The selection is built around the group that finished the Rugby Championship and reflects a series of injury‑enforced changes.

Hooker George Bell is the only player in the touring party who did not feature in the Rugby Championship, and prop Tevita Mafileo is the sole uncapped player in the 36. Injuries to a number of established players forced the key adjustments: veteran props Tyrel Lomax and Tupou Vaai are unavailable and have been replaced in the touring rotation by Mafileo and Josh Lord respectively. Brodie McAlister, who made his All Blacks debut earlier in the year, was left out of the touring squad with Bell chosen for the hooker positions. Several other players are also sidelined, including scrumhalf Noah Hotham, winger Emoni Narawa and Ollie Norris.

Scott Barrett retains the captaincy of the side. The squad comprises experienced internationals and multi‑position...