21 September 2012 Back to Latest News

The 28-strong All Blacks squad for the team's next two away matches in the Investec Rugby Championship against Argentina and South Africa has been named.

The squad includes All Blacks first five-eighth and vice-captain Daniel Carter who is fit to travel.

All Blacks Head Coach Steve Hansen said: "Dan is recovering well from his calf injury and we are expecting him to be fit for selection for the Argentinian Test. However, to be on the safe side we are also taking Beauden Barrett as cover at five-eighth, alongside Aaron Cruden."

"As we are only able to take 28 players on tour, to include Beauden we unfortunately have to leave one player behind and the logical choice was for a prop to miss out. In this case, it made sense to leave Wyatt Crockett at home as we can cover all our bases with the other four props," Hansen added.

The All Blacks squad to travel to Argentina and South Africa is as follows:

Forwards:

Hookers
Andrew Hore and Keven Mealamu.

Props
Charlie Faumuina, Ben Franks, Owen Franks and Tony Woodcock.

Locks
Brodie Retallick, Luke Romano and Samuel Whitelock.

Loose forwards
Sam Cane, Richie McCaw (captain), Liam Messam, Kieran Read, Adam Thomson and Victor Vito.

Backs:

Halfbacks
Aaron Smith and Piri Weepu.

First five-eighths
Beauden Barrett, Daniel Carter (vice-captain) and Aaron Cruden.

Midfielders
Tamati Ellison, Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith.

Outside backs
Israel Dagg, Hosea Gear, Cory Jane, Ben Smith and Julian Savea.

The All Blacks and a number of tour groups will fly out from Auckland to Buenos Aires on Saturday evening on a special Air New Zealand flight. The All Blacks play Argentina at Estadio Ciudad de La Plata, La Plata, on Saturday 29 September. The All Blacks will then fly onto South Africa for the Test against the Springboks at FNB Stadium 'Soccer City', Johannesburg, on Saturday 6 October.

Media note: All Blacks Head Coach Steve Hansen and a player will be available for a brief media stand-up at 3.30PM on Saturday afternoon at the Novotel Auckland Airport. To confirm your attendance, please contact Joe Locke on the details below.