"I love the blend. We've got a lot of experienced players who know what it is to get ready for a World Cup and get ready for test matches. We've got a group that's been through some adversity and built a lot of character last year and we've got a really nice blend of some young players who I think have played their way in this year's Super Rugby campaign. They bring a different ingredients into the group. A bit of excitement. A challenge. And the Rugby Championship's going to be vital for us to see where they're at and see how that looks when we narrow that down to 33."

"We see Dallas primarily as a midfielder. Probably 12. Chance to have a look at him there. He brings versatility. Played on the wing. Fast and strong. Courageous under the ball. Chance, in a bigger squad, to bring him in and give him a chance."

Foster admits the performances in the semifinals did change the squad. 'One went in and one went out'. 

On the new players:

“This is very special day for them and their families who I’m sure will be extremely proud of their achievements,” Foster said. “We have a new group of exciting players who will be keen to make a difference in the All Black jersey.”

“We are very excited about the group we have selected,” Foster said. “The Lipovitan-D Rugby Championship is a vital piece in our preparation for the World Cup later in the year. It’s a key opportunity to get our game ready so we can enter the global tournament with confidence.”

On Sam Cane as captain:

“Sam has proven himself as a great leader of our team despite having had a disrupted couple of seasons leading into this one,” said Foster. “We have total belief that he is the right man to lead us.”

Tamaiti Williams, Samipeni Finau, Cam Roigard, Dallas McLeod and Emoni Narawa are the five new caps in the squad as well as Shaun Stevenson as injury cover.

Hookers:
Codie Taylor (32, Crusaders / Canterbury, 76)
Dane Coles (36, Hurricanes / Wellington, 84)
Samisoni Taukei’aho (25, Chiefs / Waikato, 24)

Props:
Ethan de Groot (24, Highlanders / Southland, 13)
Fletcher Newell (23, Crusaders / Canterbury, 6)
Nepo Laulala (31, Blues / Counties Manukau, 45)
Ofa Tu’ungafasi (31, Blues / Northland, 50)
Tamaiti Williams (22, Crusaders / Canterbury, *)
Tyrel Lomax (27, Hurricanes / Tasman, 23)

Locks:
Brodie Retallick (32, Chiefs / Hawkes Bay, 100)
Josh Lord (22, Chiefs / Taranaki, 2)
Samuel Whitelock (34, Crusaders / Canterbury, 143)
Scott Barrett (29, Crusaders / Taranaki, 58)
Tupou Vaa’i (23, Chiefs / Taranaki, 18)

Loose forwards:
Ardie Savea (29, Hurricanes / Wellington, 70)
Dalton Papali’i (25, Blues / Counties Manukau, 22)
Luke Jacobson (26, Chiefs / Waikato, 12)
Sam Cane (captain) (31, Chiefs / Bay of Plenty, 86)
Samipeni Finau (24, Chiefs / Waikato, *)
Shannon Frizell (29, Highlanders / Tasman, 25)

Halfbacks:
Aaron Smith (34, Highlanders / Manawatu, 114)
Finlay Christie (27, Blues / Tasman, 14)
Cam Roigard (22, Hurricanes / Counties Manukau, *)

First-five eighths:
Beauden Barrett (32, Blues / Taranaki, 112)
Damian McKenzie (28, Chiefs / Waikato, 40)
Richie Mo’unga (29, Crusaders / Canterbury, 44)

Midfielders:
Anton Lienert-Brown (28, Chiefs / Waikato, 60)
Jordie Barrett (26, Hurricanes / Taranaki, 48)
Rieko Ioane (26, Blues / Auckland, 59)
Braydon Ennor (25, Crusaders / Canterbury, 6)
Dallas McLeod (24, Crusaders / Canterbury, *)

Outside backs:
Caleb Clarke (24, Blues / Auckland, 15)
Emoni Narawa (23, Chiefs / Bay of Plenty, *)
Leicester Fainga’anuku (23, Crusaders / Tasman, 2)
Mark Telea (26, Blues / North Harbour, 2)
Will Jordan (25, Crusaders / Tasman, 21)

So five new names in there. Probably the biggest bolter is Dallas McLeod.

Shaun Stevenson has been added as injury cover for Mark Telea for the start of the Rugby Championship.

 Mark Telea 

Ofa Tu’ungafasi 

 Tupou Vaa’i 

Samuel Whitelock 

 Tamaiti Williams* 

Cam Roigard* 

Ardie Savea 

Aaron Smith 

Samisoni Taukei’aho

Codie Taylor